[Fantasy] Clouds Dance and Moon Rises (Complete) - 7-9

Chapter 7

"Who!"

The other man was startled, but saw a figure flash by in the distance. He instinctively raised his knife to parry, sparks flew, and he staggered back several steps. He saw a young man dressed as a scholar, holding a broadsword, protecting Empress Dowager Liang.

"You little brat, are you looking for death?"

"In broad daylight, you traitors commit murder here. I think you're the one looking for death."

The man in black was furious, raising his knife and moving with lightning speed, bringing it down on the head. The young scholar was as swift as lightning, raising his knife to parry, and then kicking the man in black in the shin. The man in black leaped several feet into the air, raising his foot to kick the scholar in the face.

The scholar laughed, his body bending backward incredulously, and at the same time, he raised his hand, and with a hiss, a hidden arrow came straight at his chest. The man in black never expected the scholar's martial arts to be so superb, and his technique so fast. Unable to dodge mid-air, the arrow struck him squarely in the face. He screamed and fell to the ground, writhing twice before his face turned black and he died instantly.

In the blink of an eye, this scholar had fought two assassins, yet remained calm and composed, only a slight sheen of sweat on his forehead.

"My benefactor, I dare not thank you for saving my life. May I ask your esteemed name?"

Empress Dowager Liang observed him carefully. She saw that he was young, tall, and handsome, standing there against the wind, truly possessing the air of a jade tree in the wind. Moreover, he had just saved her life, clearly not one of her enemies, and she felt a sense of kinship.

The young scholar threw down his broadsword, gracefully clasped his hands in a fist salute, and suddenly prostrated himself in deep reverence.

"This humble subject, Tang Yun of Huanzhou, pays his respects to Your Majesty!"

July, the first year of the Shaosheng era of the Great Song Dynasty, Danzhou, Fenchuan Town.

The night was bright with a clear moon and few stars. The early autumn temperature, even at night, was comfortable, and a gentle breeze made it even more pleasant. Fenchuan Town was a market town located right next to the Yunyan River, with the Yellow River just over ten miles to the east.

It belonged to Danzhou and had over three thousand households and a population exceeding ten thousand, making it a large town. The town was surrounded by fortified walls, with moats beyond. All cities in Shaanxi Province were designed and constructed as military fortresses to defend against attacks from the Western Xia.

Within the town, there were local militia organizations and garrison troops. This was because Danzhou was not on the front lines; it was separated from the Western Xia by the two major military strongholds of Suide and Yan'an. Therefore, only one command of imperial infantry was stationed in Danzhou. During

the seventy or eighty years of conflict between the Song and Western Xia, even at its peak, the Western Xia could only threaten Weizhou and Yanzhou. Danzhou had never experienced the devastation of Western Xia warfare, hence its lax defenses. Furthermore, the Western Xia's defeat at Huanzhou two years prior had demoralized the troops.

Even minor border skirmishes had ceased, and large-scale incursions had been absent for quite some time.

The battle two years ago was truly a triumphant one for the entire Shaanxi military and civilians, a battle that boosted the morale of the entire Song Dynasty, and even shocked the Northern Dynasties. The Zhe family generals of the Song Dynasty once again became famous throughout the land.

The most elite central army of Western Xia, including the supposedly invincible Iron Falcon Army, was ambushed at Hongde Village by Song general Zhe Keshi's army. Several thousand Song soldiers fought a bloody battle for a day and a night, ultimately achieving a victory against overwhelming odds, completely defeating the nearly 100,000 elite infantry and cavalry of the Western Xia central army, which outnumbered them by more than ten times. Empress Dowager Liang, the mother of the Western Xia queen, was nearly captured alive. She abandoned her carriage and entourage, fleeing on foot over the mountains, and managed to escape back to her country by a side road. Veteran general Ye Bo, wounded by a poisoned arrow, became bedridden shortly after returning home and died six months later.

The Iron Falcon Army's fierce generals, Li Nu and Li Eyi, were both killed in action, along with hundreds of soldiers and their lieutenants. Forty-four other generals, leaders, and chieftains perished, and countless soldiers were killed or wounded.

The Song army alone captured over 1,500 heads, thousands of horses and camels, and over ten thousand supplies, flags, drums, and weapons.

The number of those who fell into the valleys, were trampled, damaged by artillery fire, or died from poisoning and other injuries beyond calculation was more than ten times that. At dawn, the valleys were filled with the corpses of Xia soldiers who had fallen to their deaths, piled high and densely packed. The scene was reminiscent of the mountains of corpses piled up in the valleys after the Battle of Haoshuichuan.

What made Western Xia even more humiliated was that the imperial carriage and ceremonial regalia, symbols of Western Xia royal power and used by Empress Dowager Liang, along with the imperial seal, were all captured by the Song army. This was publicized and sent to Bianjing (Kaifeng) as a grand victory report. Such vicious mockery would have been the start of war in the past. But now, no one mentioned revenge. The flashing lightning and deafening explosions in Hongde Village at night had chilled the Western Xia people to the bone.

For decades since Yuan Hao, the Bai Shang Kingdom had never suffered such a humiliating defeat!

This battle severely damaged Western Xia's morale. Previously, the Xia army had repeatedly rallied its forces to attack a single point in the Song Dynasty, and even if they didn't win, they could usually retreat unscathed. This time, however, the Western Xia rulers and ministers realized that this tactic was no longer effective.

To make matters worse, the neighboring countries suffered heavy losses as a result, showing contempt for Western Xia and even considering taking advantage of the situation.

The Western Uyghurs were the sworn enemies of the Tanguts, and had always allied with the Song Dynasty to attack the Western Xia. Taking advantage of the Western Xia's current weakened state, they launched a massive raid on Guazhou and Shazhou, while the Khotan Khanate also stationed troops on the border. The Hexi Corridor was soon engulfed in flames of war, and the Xiping Military Command was in dire need of attention.

The fickle Tibetan leader Aligu had a long-standing feud with Liang Yibu over the Miaochuan incident, and later Liang Yibu detained his envoy and accepted Amin's rebellious tribe. Aligu had long harbored resentment, and now, taking advantage of the Western Xia army's defeat, he once again joined the Song Dynasty, launching an invasion of Xiliang Prefecture and Gansu Military Command.

On the Song Dynasty side, last year, Song general Zhang Yun of Jingyuan Road led his army to a great victory over the Xia army at Dawu Shendui. The Xia army mobilized several thousand iron cavalry to ambush the Song army at Songlin Fort. Zhang Yun selected several hundred brave warriors, armed with powerful crossbows and swords, and charged bravely into the enemy lines. The once invincible Pingxia Iron Falcon Army seemed to have not yet recovered from the defeat at Hongde Village, and as a result, they suffered another defeat at Changcheng Ridge, and Youzhou, the garrison of the Jianing Military Command, was declared lost. After breaking through the city, Zhang Yun allowed his troops to plunder and destroy the city before fleeing.

The five prefectures of Yin, Xia, You, Shi, and Sui were known as the "ancestral foundation" of Western Xia, the fundamental land where the Dangxiang tribe had risen to power for two hundred years since the late Tang Dynasty. Since Suizhou was recovered by Zhong E, this was another instance of Western Xia's "ancestral foundation" being trampled by the Song Dynasty.

Faced with this dire situation, Western Xia dared not cause any further trouble, but only hurried to stabilize the situation. Therefore, for nearly two years, they remained silent and dared not make any major moves.

Meanwhile, the situation on the Song Dynasty's side was also quite ironic. In the Battle of Hongde Village, the Song army, which was not known for its field battle prowess,

surprisingly achieved a resounding victory against overwhelming odds. However, Zhang Jie, the military commissioner of Huanqing Road and the greatest contributor to the victory, was demoted to the position of prefect of Tongzhou and removed from the front lines on ridiculous charges: failing to relieve Huanzhou when it was besieged and falsely reporting his achievements in the Battle of Hongde Village. Zhe Keshi was also transferred from the Huanqing Road front to the position of prefect of Minzhou, which bordered Tibet.

Everyone knew that this was a trumped-up charge. Although the Song army won a great victory in the Battle of Hongde Village, it was also a bloody battle fought by a small force, resulting in heavy losses.

More than a thousand soldiers were killed and more than seven hundred were wounded. After deducting his own losses, Zhang Jie only reported the top merit of 321 to the court.

The remaining casualties, such as those who fell into the valley or whose bodies were mutilated and could not be counted, were not included in the count. This action even caused dissatisfaction among the generals who participated in the battle. As for the Battle of Huanzhou, it was part of a pre-planned strategy, and it cannot be said that they abandoned the enemy in their time of need.

Ultimately, Zhang Jie's unprecedented victory over Western Xia was good for the Song Dynasty and for the people of Shaanxi, but not for the "gentlemen" in power in Bianjing. Now that he had just won a great victory and his prestige was rising, if he were to be promoted and rewarded, it might send the wrong signal to other border generals, and the border would likely never be peaceful again. Therefore, they fabricated charges to suppress him.

However, the impact of this battle was indeed far-reaching. After this battle, Western Xia did not make any major moves. The various military prefectures along the border also had a chance to catch their breath. As for Danzhou in the interior, it was rare to feel peaceful and tranquil, and lax military preparedness was commonplace. There were quite a few Loyalty Society, Archery Society, and militia in the prefecture, but the brave and fierce warriors had all been transferred to the Imperial Guard, and the rest were either mediocre or unruly.

These people routinely bullied the good and oppressed the honest, even colluding with bandits to rob and plunder, dividing the spoils among themselves—this was an open secret. However, the government relied on these local bullies to govern the area and defend against foreign aggression. These men were mostly powerful and influential figures from wealthy families, generous in their bribes, so the government turned a blind eye.

At this time, the notorious rogue Pang Er was in the woods five miles outside the town, accompanied by more than twenty burly men, many with fierce expressions and menacing auras.

Pang Er was also a trained fighter, having served in the military. In Shaanxi, local militiamen with horses and exceptional martial arts skills could receive the same pay and rations as imperial guards, even if not as regular soldiers. Pang Er had fought bravely against the Western Xia in the past, and his left hand, according to the custom of local militias, bore the characters "Loyalty and Bravery" tattooed on the tiger's mouth. But after his horse died, he stopped receiving his salary from the Imperial Guards. Being an unruly individual, he couldn't tolerate the strict military rules, so he became the leader of the Loyalty Society.

The group before him were bandits, but to Pang Er, they were just friends from the martial world. He himself had often engaged in robbery and plunder; there were tens of thousands of Loyalty Societies and archery societies in northern Song, and hundreds of thousands of martial artists. It was impossible to say they had no connection to the Green Forest. Many Loyalty Societies originated from Green Forest gangs.

"Ninth Brother, that monk is in town. He's incredibly powerful; he dug several wells, and every one yields water. He's currently staying at Master Chen's house. What does Ninth Brother need this monk for?"

"That's none of your business… You just need to find out where that monk is. We're strangers, so it's inconvenient for us to enter the city."

The bandit called Ninth Brother turned to look at someone behind him. He tossed a bag of copper coins to Pang Er. Pang Er caught it, weighed it in his hand, and figured it contained about two strings of cash. His face lit up with joy: "Don't worry, Ninth Brother, I'll head back

now." Pang Er's figure disappeared into the night. Ninth Brother turned to look at the young merchant-looking man, but didn't ask anything further. He simply instructed everyone to rest and arranged for someone to keep watch. This man was probably from the Western Xia, but why was he targeting this monk? It was said that most of the Tangut nobles were Buddhists; perhaps they wanted to invite this high-ranking monk back to preach? This monk was said to be skilled in feng shui and adept at surveying water veins. He had wandered Shaanxi for two years, establishing a great reputation. Wherever he went, if the area lacked water, he could tell where to dig a well to find water, and he was right eight or nine times out of ten. The people everywhere relied on water for farming and worshipped this monk as a living Buddha.

Could he truly be a highly virtuous monk? Did the Western Xia really want to kidnap this monk?

But then he thought, what business is it of his? He was just a bandit himself, why should he care what others did?

This man was generous; ten taels of gold was a fortune.

The next morning, Pang Er came again, saying that the monk had left the town and was heading towards Yan'an Prefecture.

Ninth Brother was a horse bandit and knew the terrain well. Ahead of them was Yunyan Town, and beyond Yunyan Town was Linzhen County under the jurisdiction of Yan'an Prefecture. Yan'an Prefecture was an important city of the imperial court, with heavy troops stationed throughout its territory. If the monk entered Yan'an Prefecture, it would be difficult to make a move.

"Sir, we must act quickly."

The young man had already mounted his horse and clasped his hands in thanks to Ninth Brother and the others: "Thank you all for your help, and please continue your journey."

The horse bandits mounted their horses and galloped down the mountain road. Before long, they caught up with the monk on the main road. Fortunately, there was only one other person on the road. The young man spurred his horse forward from behind, blocking the monk's path, his broadsword already drawn. The monk was startled at first, but then regained his composure.

"Amitabha! May I ask what brings this benefactor here?"

"May I ask if your Dharma name is Zhiming?"

"That is indeed this humble monk."

"I have long heard of your skill in feng shui, Master. Even in the most desolate mountains, you can find water. My master has long admired your name and wishes to meet you. He has specially sent me to invite you."

"May I ask your honorable name, benefactor?"

"My name is Tang Yun, a nobody. You wouldn't recognize me even if I told you."

Tang Yun's attitude was respectful. "My master has long admired you, Master. Please do me the honor. I will apologize for any offense I may have caused you today."

"May I ask your honorable name, sir?"

"You will know in due time." "

This humble monk has only dabbled in some geomancy and feng shui, and can observe mountains and rivers. I have no other skills. Since you have long admired my name, sir, you are probably not a devout Buddhist. Perhaps you are also interested in the water in these mountains?"

By this time, the bandits had surrounded him, but the monk remained calm and continued to speak eloquently.

"I was just about to ask the master for guidance."

"This humble monk has traveled all over the world for thirty years and has his own insights into the waters of these mountains. There are fourteen in total, and seven or eight out of ten mountains cannot escape them."

Although the monk knew that Tang Yun was trying to test him, he did not hesitate and spoke freely.

"First, in the mountains, a place surrounded by mountains on three sides is called a winnowing basket, and there must be a water source at the mouth of the basket.

Second, where two mountains enclose a gully, water flows through the rocks of the gully. A valley between two mountains often has water sources in the rocks on both banks downstream. Third, where two gullies meet, springs flow abundantly. At the confluence of two gullies, springs often emerge.

Fourth, where mountain peaks face each other, there is good water below. Two mountain peaks facing each other, close together, with flat terrain below, will surely have water at their junction. Fifth, where two mountains enclose an isolated mountain, the water never dries up. There must be water upstream of the isolated mountain. Sixth, where two gullies enclose a mouth, there is spring water below. Seventh, where two mountains meet, spring water flows below… Eighth, where bends face each other, the water never dries up. Ninth, where a mountain turns, water flows…"

The monk spoke fluently, explaining as he went. The crowd had truly never heard of such a place, and Tang Yun was also filled with astonishment. Although the Song Dynasty is dominated by Confucianism, it is teeming with hidden talents and extraordinary individuals within the Buddhist and Taoist spheres. For a monk like this, with such abilities, achieving fame and fortune would be incredibly easy. The court prioritizes agriculture, which is inseparable from water, and even military affairs are vitally dependent on water. The humiliating defeat at Hongde Village under Empress Dowager Liang was largely due to water shortages leading to low morale.

A thought struck him: the employer of this band of outlaws was Wei Ming Amai, the commander of the Xishou Baotai Military Command. He had secretly set a bounty, bribing outlaws within the Song Dynasty's borders, hoping to kidnap this monk and take him to Tiandu Mountain.

Could it be that he was after the monk's abilities? The only thing Tang Yun could think of was that the Western Xia might be secretly preparing something. As the saying goes, an army marches on its stomach; after their last major defeat, the Western Xia placed great importance on the issue of water for their army. Moreover, when a large army moves, whether it's marching, establishing fortifications, building cities, or fighting, it's essential to ensure a water supply beforehand—this is common military knowledge.

Western Xia practices militarism, and Wei Ming'a's actions could never be for the benefit of the people. Could there be some secret matter involving the army in the Tiandu Mountain area? Western Xia also has artisans, but this time they chose to go to great lengths, secretly abducting people from Song territory. Firstly, this monk is famous, and secondly, they don't want it to be publicized—clearly, they intend to keep it from certain people within Western Xia.

Since the major defeat at Hongde Village, the power struggle within Western Xia has intensified. Empress Dowager Liang believes Liang Yibu leaked military secrets. Although there's no evidence, she's wary of Liang Yibu in everything, trying to prevent him from participating in confidential matters and constantly seeking to diminish his power. The Baotai Military Command's secret actions abroad clearly indicate they don't want Liang Yibu to know about their activities in Tiandu Mountain; otherwise, it's hard to guarantee he won't leak them to the Song army again. Recruiting artisans domestically would be impossible to conceal from Liang Yibu, who was, after all, the Chancellor, and whose cronies were still widespread throughout the court and the country. His secret agent organization, "Yipintang," had spies throughout Western Xia.

What exactly was Wei Ming'a, or rather, Empress Dowager Liang, planning at Tiandu Mountain? The most likely explanation was troop deployment, perhaps the construction of a secret camp? The Tiandu Mountain area spans a thousand miles, and the exact location remains unknown, demonstrating the extent of their secrecy. Their ability to bribe Song Dynasty thieves further illustrates their meticulous planning.

They certainly didn't expect that among these outlaws were members of the First-Class Hall. Bandits and thieves were never exactly disciplined; most were temporary groups, members often only knowing each other by their nicknames and rarely revealing their real names. Among them were many with ulterior motives and suspicious behavior. Take Tang Yun, for example. Although some suspected he was affiliated with the Western Xia, no one questioned his relationship with his employer; they were all Western Xia, after all. For them, money was paramount. This was probably a miscalculation on the part of Empress Dowager Liang's faction

, whether it would be fatal

remained to be seen. However, their plans on Tiandu Mountain were no longer a secret to their adversaries…

********** ... The Prime Minister's Residence was the largest building in Xingqing Prefecture besides the Imperial Palace, covering over a hundred acres. Its rear garden was filled with exotic flowers and rare plants, with shimmering blue waters, pavilions, and towers—a truly luxurious and magnificent sight. Since the time of Liang Yibu, this place had been a secluded haven, where private matters kept secret were often discussed. After Liang Yibu, many more secret chambers and mechanisms were added, making it even more mysterious. Since the Liang dynasty, it had been common for relatives of the empress to serve as prime ministers in Western Xia. During the Liang dynasty, Mozang Epang was prime minister, controlling the court, and his daughter, Mozang Shi, became empress, wielding immense power. Later, Mozang Epang's wife, Liang Shi, had an affair with Liang, exposing Mozang Epang's plot to rebel. Liang executed the entire Mozang family, and Liang Shi was made empress. Liang Yibu became the new master of the Prime Minister's Residence, and the Liang family rose to power by stepping on the corpses of the Mozang family. Even now, with the second generation of the Liang family in power, the Prime Minister's Residence remains the true center of power in Western Xia. Now, this center of power is perhaps somewhat undeserving of its name. The back garden is guarded every five steps, with sentries every ten, all the household guards and personal soldiers of the mansion; the security is so tight that even a fly couldn't get in. Since Empress Dowager Liang returned alive from the battlefield to Xingqing Prefecture, the security level within the Prime Minister's residence has been raised to the highest level. Liang Yibu issued a strict order: anyone who dares to neglect their duties will have their entire family executed. Under this strict order, everyone lives in fear, lest they incur his wrath and bring about their own demise. The power struggle within Western Xia is now almost out in the open. After the major defeat at Huanzhou, although Empress Dowager Liang fled back to the country, her prestige has plummeted. Many local power brokers have become ambiguous about their attitude towards her, while Liang Yibu, with his numerous allies in the army, is seizing the opportunity to win over these generals, and quite a few tribal chiefs have also expressed interest in Liang Yibu's attempts to win them over. During that period, Liang Yibu seized the opportunity to place some loyal members of the Liang clan into key positions, forcing Empress Dowager Liang to endure in silence. Liang Yibu's faction, overconfident and believing the situation was under control, acted arrogantly and recklessly in the court and local areas, drawing widespread attention. However, once Empress Dowager Liang recovered, Liang Yibu's situation became more difficult. While this young Empress Dowager Liang lacked the military prowess and decisiveness of her aunt, the old Empress Dowager Liang, her political maneuvering was no less astute. No matter how dire the situation, she clung tightly to the military power of Xingqing Prefecture. Political struggles in Western Xia ultimately relied on military force, so as long as she held onto military power and the legitimacy of the Qian Shun regime, she could ultimately prevail. Her aunt had relied on this very tactic to maintain her stability. Besides controlling the military, she heavily relied on Liang Yibu's political enemies while simultaneously devising ways to diminish his power. Ministers who were loyal to Liang Yibu were successively dismissed, and she also vied with all her might for the support of powerful generals and tribal chiefs. These people either waited to see the Liang clan's internal strife become a laughing stock or pledged allegiance to Empress Dowager Liang. Even those who had previously been loyal to the Liang clan began to side with Empress Dowager Liang, seeing the clan's division, as she was the mother of the Xia ruler and possessed the legitimate title of ruler under the guise of Qian Shun. Liang Yimai was thus the prime minister, holding the title of a subject. Before Liang Yibu was prime minister, his father Liang Yimai wielded immense power, unaware that their Liang clan's power originated from the Li family and from the powerful Empress Dowager Liang. Only through the name of the Xia ruler could the Liang clan truly control the realm. He simply assumed all of this was perfectly natural; the prime minister was the symbol of power. Once one became prime minister, all power was rightfully theirs. Of course, someone as uncouth as him never considered that if the prime minister was the symbol of power, what was the point of having a king? Now he knew how astonishingly his power would wither once he lost this prestigious title. What was a prime minister without the king's approval? Worthless. Military power in Xingqing Prefecture was entirely in the hands of Empress Dowager Liang. After Ye Bo's death, his deputy, Sa Chen, was promoted to the new commander of the Xiangqing Military Command and concurrently led the Xingqing Prefecture Guard. This man was also a confidant of Empress Dowager Liang. The entire capital was firmly controlled by Empress Dowager Liang. The local military supervisory offices only obeyed orders from Xingqing Prefecture. Now, all he could do was exploit the defeat at Huanzhou, desperately trying to win the support of the military commanders from Empress Dowager Liang. As long as they knew that this woman, Empress Dowager Liang, was unfit to be commander, he still had a chance to turn the tide. Moreover, some of his cronies held important positions in the army, but given the current situation, if more forceful measures weren't taken, and if these people saw no hope of following him, these "clingy" followers would eventually change their tune and defect to a new master. Especially now that rumors were circulating that Wei Ming Amai would replace him as the commander of the Right Wing Six Armies, this was the moment of truth, and he didn't have much time to waste. At this moment, he was reclining on the bed in the secret room, with a woman kneeling before him. This woman was probably not yet thirty years old, with blonde hair and blue eyes, and appeared to be a woman from the Western Regions. However, her appearance was handsome and aloof, and upon closer inspection, she was actually a beauty. But she was dressed in a black robe and wore a black veil, making her appear to be dressed as a man. Moreover, her expression was cold and stern, and her eyes and brows carried an indescribable murderous aura, especially deep within her eyes, where there seemed to be something morbid and menacing. Meeting those eyes reminded Liang Yibu of the eyes of cold-blooded reptiles like snakes and scorpions. "Prime Minister, Tang Yun has sent word that Monk Zhiming has entered Tiandu Mountain. Weiming A'mai has no suspicion." The woman's voice was quite hoarse. "Hmph, that old scoundrel Weiming, relying on that vile woman's power, is only focused on opposing me. He never imagined that Zhiming was originally one of my men. I saved his life years ago, and Zhiming will never betray me. Their schemes in Tiandu Mountain will be discovered by me sooner or later." " Prime Minister, the enemy is already pressing us relentlessly. The matter in Huanzhou will likely be discovered sooner or later. What they are doing in Tiandu Mountain, and who they are targeting, is self-evident… Since they have already harbored evil intentions, they may have more to come. Prime Minister, you must make plans soon." "I know this myself." Liang Yibu pondered for a moment. "What do you think of Tang Yun? Is he usable?" "Although Tang Yun is greedy and lustful, he possesses extraordinary courage and wisdom, truly a hero among men. It is a loss for the Eastern Dynasty to have such a man and not utilize him. If Your Excellency wishes to use him… you must win him over. If not, you must kill him." Liang Yibu pondered again. Tang Yun had been with his First-Rank Hall for nearly two years. Originally a minor military officer in the Eastern Dynasty, he deserted the army after his secret trade was exposed, becoming a wanted man. With nowhere else to turn, he served the Western Xia. In these two years, he had repeatedly distinguished himself, and his talent was undeniable. He had now become the most outstanding and capable spy in the First-Rank Hall. "However, he is a Han Chinese…" Liang Yibu consistently believed that Han Chinese could only be used, not given important positions. Many of the spies in his First-Rank Hall were Han Chinese, and some were even bribed from familiar border households in the Song Dynasty, but he always maintained a layer of wariness towards Han Chinese. Although he forgot that his Liang family, by blood, was also Han Chinese.

"Prime Minister... Zhang Yuan and Li Hao were also Han Chinese, yet Emperor Jingzong entrusted them with his confidants, ultimately leading to the establishment of the Great Xia dynasty. Li Qing is also Han Chinese... yet he was a minister of our Great Xia, greatly favored by the late emperor. Currently, three or four out of ten high-ranking officials in our Great Xia court are Han Chinese. If you, Prime Minister, treat him with kindness and trust, who says Tang Yun cannot be your Li Qing?"

Liang Yibu's heart stirred. He was very clear about the past grievances between Li Qing and his Liang family. Back then, Li Qing was wholeheartedly loyal to Bingchang, never abandoning him, truly possessing the qualities of a national hero. Frankly speaking, if Li Qing had been willing to serve his Liang family back then, with his talent, the Liang family might actually have had a chance to usurp the throne now. Now, his own camp was in a state of disunity, and recalling Bingchang's situation back then, he felt a pang of sorrow. He especially hoped to have a subordinate like Li Qing who would always be loyal to him.

"It's a pity we couldn't keep that wretched woman in Huanzhou, which led to this disaster,"

Liang Yibu cursed bitterly. "Now that the Eastern Dynasty's aid has been cut off, must we really take such a risky step?"

During the Battle of Huanzhou, Liang Yibu had indeed made secret deals with the Eastern Dynasty. At that time, the old party in power in the Song Dynasty was embroiled in internal strife and infighting, with no one paying attention to real national affairs. Moreover, these gentlemen most admired the state of non-interference and were most opposed to "expanding the borders and causing trouble." They believed that the key to governing the country was to encourage agriculture and sericulture, collect less taxation, live peacefully and contentedly, and ideally, continue on this unchanging path forever. Those who wished to do something practical for the country were labeled "petty people who only care about personal gain." They held a completely abhorrent attitude towards recovering lost territory, implementing reforms, and revitalizing the nation, considering these actions nothing more than "troublemaking." They also viewed the constant incursions of the Western Xia as insignificant, deeming the border regions "useless lands" that were no big deal to lose, since the Western Xia wasn't aiming to annex the Song Dynasty; they would simply return after they had their fill.

Border generals only needed to keep the enemy at bay; any retaliatory attacks would be seen as provoking conflict and absolutely unacceptable.

Liang Yibu exploited this mentality.

If the Song Dynasty could keep Empress Dowager Liang in Huanzhou and simultaneously resume annual tributes,

Liang Yibu would cease hostilities with the Song Dynasty, and the Western Xia would once again submit to the Song and pay tribute. This was precisely what the old guard of the Song Dynasty needed. Although Liang Yibu didn't know who was on the Song Dynasty's side, he was certain that some of the powerful old guard officials were swayed by his terms and were exerting influence behind the scenes.

Yipintang didn't know the other party's identity either, and the other party was obviously very cautious, after all, this was a crime of treason. Each time, it was a wandering Taoist priest named Zhang Huaisu who came forward.

However, Liang Yibu didn't care about any of this; he only cared that his scheme had succeeded.

After all, this was an old trick that Western Xia had used for a hundred years.

On one hand, they were vassals and enjoyed annual tribute, and on the other hand, they continued to wage war. Anyway, those old party scholar-officials were masters of self-deception and escapism; as long as they were in power, Western Xia could always do whatever it wanted. If he could use the power of the Song Dynasty to eliminate Empress Dowager Liang, even if a peace treaty was signed, whether or not it was to be observed would depend on Liang Yibu's mood.

But now, the Eastern Dynasty was seeing the New Party making a comeback, and the Old Party was about to be purged. The person who had a tacit understanding with him was probably too busy to take care of himself. Although he could still make some small moves, it was conceivable that he could no longer take advantage of the Eastern Dynasty's policies. In the past, this wouldn't have been a problem, but now it was adding insult to injury for him.

Last autumn, Empress Dowager Gao of the Eastern Dynasty passed away, and the eighteen-year-old Emperor Yuanyou, Zhao Xu, assumed personal rule. His pent-up resentment and anger towards Empress Dowager Gao and the Yuanyou officials finally had an outlet. Meanwhile, the Xifeng New Party, led by Zhang Dun, Li Qingchen, and Deng Runpu, returned to the center of power. The persecution and attacks the Yuanyou Old Party had inflicted on the New Party were now being returned tenfold, a hundredfold. A major upheaval in the Song Dynasty's politics was almost inevitable.

During Emperor Shenzong's reign, he was ambitious and appointed Wang Anshi, whose reforms nearly purged the censorate.

Old Party ministers were sent to various posts, leaving the court dominated by the New Party. However, to be fair, while the factional struggles of the Xifeng era were brutal, both sides were largely acting out of public interest, their starting point being the future of the nation; the debate was simply about whose policies were more beneficial to the country.

However, after Emperor Shenzong's death, Empress Dowager Gao assumed power and implemented the Yuan You reforms, recalling the old faction. The result was a political upheaval even more brutal and ruthless than the mass dismissal at the beginning of the Xining era. The factional struggles had degenerated into a chaotic mess of personal grudges and petty squabbles, with no one caring about the state of the nation anymore.

After more than a decade of political repression in Luoyang, Sima Guang's mind had become completely twisted and warped. Upon gaining power, he launched a brutal reprisal against the New Party with a partisan mentality, using the treasonous slogan of "changing the son's laws based on the mother's," indiscriminately abolishing all the new laws and completely negating all of Emperor Shenzong's achievements. At the same time, he recalled a large number of his old party comrades.

Privy Councilor Zhang Dun argued vehemently with Sima Guang about the abolition of the new laws, but Sima Guang, feigning scholarly elegance, had no real solutions for governing the country. He couldn't win the argument against Zhang Dun, and his statements were often incoherent and contradictory.

His memorials were inconsistent, sometimes criticizing the exemption from corvée labor for causing "high-income households to pay money every year" and "excessive expenses," and other times saying that "it was convenient for high-income households." He claimed the exemption from corvée labor was unjustly harmful to the people and "inconvenient for the common people," and other times saying that the people were already accustomed to it and "familiar with the customs." His arguments were contradictory, rambling, and confusing, leaving readers bewildered. He was frequently targeted and severely criticized by Zhang Dun, often finding himself in an awkward position.

Meanwhile, fellow conservative leaders such as Su Shi, Fan Chunren, and Lü Gongzhu believed that the exemption from corvée labor was not entirely without merit and should not be easily abolished. Sima Guang, however, remained stubborn and unyielding, refusing to listen to any dissenting opinions, earning him the nickname "Sima the Ox." He self-deceivingly listed a multitude of advantages of the corvée labor system, claiming that "since ancient times, what farmers possess is nothing more than grain, silk, and labor." He argued that the common people had a few bags of grain and some strength, which Sima Guang then described as "taken from their own bodies inexhaustible." In short, he asserted that corvée labor was the natural duty of ordinary people, born to work for the government without pay. Finally, he proposed that "the best course of action now is to abolish all corvée labor fees throughout the land," ordering county officials to abolish all exemptions within five days, forcibly abolishing the exemption system.

Ironically, shortly after abolishing the exemption system, Sima Guang realized his utter folly but refused to admit it, issuing another order.

He demanded that while reinstating the corvée labor system, some exemption items should still be retained to collect exemption fees.

This was not the behavior of a gentleman. Wang Anshi collected exemption fees to pay for labor; Sima Guang, having reinstated the corvée labor system, still collected fees purely for the sake of collecting money, and the amount collected was even greater than that of the exemption system. For this, Sima Guang was relentlessly refuted by Zhang Dun: the current collection of corvée labor fees was "even more exploitative" than during the Xining era. After being repeatedly refuted by Zhang Dun, Sima Guang finally became enraged. Unable to win through reasoning, he instructed the censors to impeach Zhang Dun. Liu Zhi, Wang Di, Zhu Guangting, Wang Yansou, and Sun Sheng joined forces to attack Zhang Dun. Empress Dowager Gao disregarded the logic and only supported her idol, Sima Guang, ultimately forcibly banishing Zhang Dun from Bianjing. As a result, this precedent was set, and the old party, abandoning their gentlemanly facade, launched a full-scale attack on the new party, engaging in personal attacks and denouncing the new party officials as traitors. Cai Que, Han Zhen, and others were all expelled from the court. Thus, the old party, the supposedly virtuous gentlemen, seized power in the Song Dynasty through the most ruthless means.

At this time, Sima Guang had no sense of national justice, only personal grudges. Later, he even went so far as to consider ceding all the territory recovered by countless soldiers during the reign of Emperor Shenzong—including the entire Xihe Road, Lanzhou, Huizhou, Suizhou, and thousands of other places—to Western Xia, restoring the border to the state it was during the reign of Emperor Renzong. Fortunately, the rest of the old party members were still mentally sound and, fearing eternal infamy, dared not support his traitorous policy.

Afterwards, Sima Guang finally watched as his political enemies were exiled one by one, and his pent-up resentment was finally released. After wreaking havoc on the court, he offered no solutions for governing the country and died contentedly. It seemed that his short year or so back in court was solely for revenge against the new party; whether the country could withstand such turmoil was not a concern for this self-proclaimed "model gentleman" who considered himself a "minister of the state."

This great historian, who compiled the Zizhi Tongjian (Comprehensive Mirror for Aid in Government), once joked that no more than three people in the world had actually read the book from cover to

cover. One wonders what he would think if he saw the Niu-Li factional strife of the Tang Dynasty and compared it to his own actions. Later, during the Yuan You era, the court was dominated by the Old Party, whose actions had reached an extreme and irredeemable point. If one person was promoted, it was said that Emperor Xifeng had dismissed them; if one person was dismissed, it was said that Emperor Xifeng had promoted them; if a law was implemented, it was said that Emperor Xifeng had reformed it; if a law was reformed, it was said that Emperor Xifeng had promoted it. Even if the New Party said dog excrement was smelly, they insisted it smelled good. After the infamous example of Sima Guang, the Old Party's persecution and attacks on the New Party were relentless. Even after the New Party had been completely driven out of the court, they were not satisfied and insisted on eradicating them completely. Thus, they fabricated what is arguably the most infamous literary inquisition in Song Dynasty history: the Chegaiting Poetry Case.

This case can be described as the most widespread, most severe, and most despicable political persecution since the founding of the Song Dynasty. It was a complete political purge of the New Party by the Old Party. The fabrication of charges, the baseless accusations, and the implicating of innocent people were unprecedented. Almost all the influential figures of the New Party were wiped out, and Cai Que ultimately died in exile in Lingnan, shocking the court and the public.

To be fair, Cai Que was accustomed to manipulating power and suppressing dissidents, so this retribution was a fitting end. However, he was, after all, a former prime minister. Even after being demoted, according to custom, he was appointed to govern a large prefecture, allowing him to live out his days in comfort, or at the very least, to become a wealthy man. For example, Wang Anshi, after being dismissed as prime minister, was appointed to govern Jiangning Prefecture. This was to maintain the dignity of the court, a practice inherited from the Song Dynasty, and was intended to show leniency towards scholar-officials. This was because, no matter how much infighting occurred among scholar-officials, it was a "gentleman's struggle," and the victor would not ruthlessly eliminate the loser.

Cai Que's dismissal as prime minister and subsequent exile to Lingnan, where he died under mysterious circumstances, was unprecedented since the founding of the Song Dynasty. Seeing Cai Que's fate, the members of the New Party felt a sense of shared sorrow, and their resentment towards the Old Party transformed. This was no longer a political contest, but a true life-or-death struggle. If the Old Party continued to prevail, no one knew whether the remaining members of the New Party would one day suffer the same fate as Cai Que.

Not content with Cai Que's death, the Old Party launched a massive purge, compiling lists of alleged Cai Que's close associates, including 47 people such as Zhang Dun and Pu Zongmeng, and 30 people such as Lü Huiqing and Cai Que, also allegedly close associates of Wang Anshi. Not only were these individuals repeatedly demoted, but the list was also posted throughout the country, dubbed the "List of Traitors," and broadcast daily to the people for eight years, thoroughly ruining the reputations of those on the list. The despicable methods employed left no room for criticism.

After completely subduing the New Party, the Old Party seemed addicted to factional strife, splitting into the Shu, Luo, and Shuo factions, which continued to tear each other apart. They used the same methods against the New Party against their former allies, creating chaos and infighting in the court.

It seemed that nothing else mattered to the nation.

In this chaotic melee, the incompetent members of the Old Party attacked each other while simultaneously fearing attacks from others; they indulged in vehement insults while frequently trembling with fear. No one considered the devastation this would bring to the nation. During this period, government affairs collapsed, chaos reigned, and the country was in turmoil; economic policies were chaotic and inconsistent, demonstrating a complete lack of governance; militarily, a policy of surrender was adopted, with large amounts of territory abandoned to appease enemy states. The Song Dynasty, in this pointless internal strife, gradually exhausted its vitality.

Throughout the nine years before and after the Yuan You Reforms, the old party officials, though posing as "gentlemen," did virtually nothing of substance except engage in constant infighting and backstabbing.

These "gentlemen" spoke endlessly, yet almost none of them managed to "transcend the endless debates." Their comrades spewed endless arguments, "all arguing over right and wrong with the ashes of Wang Anshi's death." Domestically, they were addicted to empty talk and incapable of practical action, "with hardly a single concrete policy in sight." Regarding external enemies, they were even more indifferent, "not a single general was chosen to defend against their aggression," and "not a single plan was devised to prevent their bullying." They only knew how to vigorously ostracize and attack the new party, working day and night as if chasing a dead child.

Using such despicable means to attack political enemies and such incompetent methods to disrupt the country, from Emperor Zhao Xu down to the members of the New Party, everyone could only bury their resentment in their hearts. Now that the New Party had made a comeback, their pent-up resentment of eight years could finally be vented, and the fate of the Old Party was almost predetermined.

In February, Su Zhe, Lü Dafang, and Fan Chunren were dismissed as prime ministers, and Zhao Xu appointed members of the New Party, beginning to settle scores with the Yuan You Party members.

In March, the censor Zhang Shangying impeached Sima Guang and Wen Yanbo for misleading the country, clearly comparing Empress Dowager Gao to Empress Lü and Empress Wu Zetian. Zeng Bu submitted a memorial changing the ninth year of Yuan You to the first year of Shao Sheng, and the Song Dynasty began the "Shao Sheng Shao Shu" era. In April, Zhang Dun entered the court and became prime minister, directly declaring, "Sima Guang is treacherous and should be dealt with urgently!"

He copied the methods used by the Old Party to deal with the New Party, and fully restored the Xi Feng New Laws.

Lin Xi submitted a memorial publicly denouncing Empress Dowager Gao as a "cunning old woman who usurped power." This old woman, hailed as a "female Yao and Shun" by the old party and the mastermind behind the Chegaiting Poetry Case, received the honorary title of "treacherous empress" less than a year after her death.

In May, Zhang Dun listed the ministers who ceded territory to Western Xia during the Yuan You era to sue for peace.

A total of eleven people were listed, including Sima Guang, Wen Yanbo, Zhao Xie, and Fan Chunren, who were accused of crimes such as "using treachery to presume power."

In June, the matter of Cai Que's demotion and death was brought up again, with Lü Dafang and Liu Zhi considered the main culprits and demoted again.

Sima Guang and Lü Gongzhu were posthumously stripped of their official titles and posthumous honors, and even the inscriptions personally written by Zhao Xu for them and the imperial edict were destroyed. Zhang Dun and Cai Bian, along with officials from the three provinces, demanded that their graves be "exhumed and their coffins split open." Some argued that exhuming graves was not a virtuous act, and Zhao Xu also believed it would be of no benefit to the public, so the matter was dropped.

The old party's fools are now doomed. Everyone knows that, given Cai Que's precedent, their fate will likely be to flee to Lingnan hand in hand.

Liang Yibu is well aware of this. Now that the new party, extremely hostile to Western Xia, has come to power, they will not make any agreements with him. The old party desires peace, but the new party desires the recovery of the lost territories of Hexi.

He desperately needs external support in his power struggle with Empress Dowager Liang. Didn't Li Qing advise Bingchang to borrow the Song Dynasty's power to deal with the Liang family? However, he cannot borrow any power from the Song Dynasty, which is controlled by the new party.

Fortunately, he is not yet at his wit's end. Although Empress Dowager Liang's faction is pressing him relentlessly, he has long held military power, and his faction within the army cannot be eradicated overnight. These people know that if Empress Dowager Liang's faction gains power, they will lose everything, so they are determined to follow him.

Moreover, he still had a chance. If he could orchestrate another coup, just like when he imprisoned Bingchang, he would have a chance to turn the tide.

This crucial matter was related to the major events to come and required a capable person with both wisdom and courage, and Tang Yun was undoubtedly a very suitable candidate. His courage and talent had already been proven.

"Prime Minister, if you doubt someone, don't use them; if you use someone, don't doubt them. You should make a decision as soon as possible."

Liang Yibu hesitated for a moment before finally deciding to say to the woman, "Since that's the case, then use him."

In reality, he truly had no one else to rely on. Ordinary spies would hardly be entrusted with such a crucial task. Two months ago, more than ten spies from Yipintang were captured by Fan Chun, the military governor of Linyan Road, and were openly sent back to Xixia territory by Fan Chun to be ridiculed. Now, the Empress Dowager Liang's faction was closely monitoring his actions, trying their best to clip his wings, and Yipintang was a key target of their surveillance. Once the spies' identities were exposed, they would soon die mysteriously.

Truly capable people were still too few, and Tang Yun was one of them. In the current situation, I can only trust my own judgment. Fortunately, this man is greedy and lustful; as long as he has these two weaknesses, I am confident I can control him.

"Yes, ma'am!"

Hu bowed and accepted the order, then withdrew. As she left, Liang Yibu said again, "Summon Yao Ning."

Not long after the woman from Hu left, a slender figure appeared silently in the secret room like a ghost. Liang Yibu raised his hand to signal, and the beautiful woman floated into his arms. This woman was stunningly beautiful, with a mature and alluring figure. Every move she made seemed to have undergone strict court etiquette training, yet she also exuded a wild and seductive charm. However, her almond-shaped eyes were unusually cold, as if nothing in the world could move her heart.

This charming woman was Liang Yibu's most beloved courtesan, and also his most outstanding assassin. When Li Qing's entire family was slaughtered, this woman was still a child, serving as a servant in Li Qing's household. She caught Liang Yibu's eye and was brought to his household as a slave. Later, he discovered her extraordinary talent and secretly trained her. Now she possessed a variety of strange arts, was skilled in disguise and transformation, and could truly impersonate anyone. Moreover, she was a master of unparalleled skills.

Two years ago, she was ordered by him to infiltrate the Western Xia army and attempt to assassinate Empress Dowager Liang amidst the chaos, but due to the tight defenses of the imperial camp, she did not have the opportunity to act. Later, she secretly poisoned Ye Bo, a trusted veteran general of Empress Dowager Liang, with an arrow, and Ye Bo died of illness six months after the battle.

Although Yipintang was Liang Yibu's subordinate, given Liang Yibu's suspicious nature,

it was inevitable that he would keep a backup plan. This Yao Ning had also been ordered by him to secretly monitor Yipintang.

"What are your orders, Prime Minister?"

"Have you ascertained the rotation schedule of the six guards within the imperial perimeter?"

"I have fulfilled my mission."

The woman pulled out a white cloth from her sleeve, which was densely covered with tiny characters.

Liang Yibu took it and examined it carefully, secretly pleased. Looking at Yao Ning again, he saw that she was brazenly looking directly into his eyes, her gaze still cold, but he could sense a hint of provocation in it.

This is what Liang Yibu adored most about her. Despite her youth, this woman was far from ordinary courtesans. She possessed extraordinary skills and was adept at understanding men's psychology, able to arouse their desire for her.

The Liang family had served as prime ministers for two generations, wielding unparalleled power and wealth within the Western Xia kingdom.

Their household boasted dozens of stunning beauties; with Liang Yibu's status, he could easily have whomever he desired. All the women were obedient to him, daring not to disobey in the slightest. However, she was indifferent to Liang Yibu, which only highlighted her uniqueness and further fueled his interest. For someone like Liang Yibu, what he couldn't have, he wanted even more; what he had, he took for granted. Therefore, she deliberately displayed just the right amount of indifference towards him from time to time.

Furthermore, her identity as an assassin further distinguished her from other courtesans, creating a unique thrill. It was as if conquering such a dangerous and rare woman was a testament to a man's ability.

Looking into her eyes, Liang Yibu felt a surge of lust. He wrapped one arm around her slender waist, pounced on her, and pinned her to the brocade couch beneath him. At the same time, his hand pressed somewhere, and the door closed automatically.

"Ah…Prime Minister…"

Yao Ning's icy gaze transformed into a seductive fire. Her long, flowing gauze dress, adorned with pearls and jade, was roughly pushed up to her thighs by Liang Yibu's large hands. Her long, slender, white legs emerged from the dress and hooked around Liang Yibu's waist. Liang Yibu braced himself on the bed with one hand, while the other cupped her pink thighs, stroking them back and forth. The woman's most intimate and shameful area was stimulated, causing her to emit seductive moans.

Liang Yibu chuckled lewdly, then simply lifted the woman's robe, revealing a purple undergarment, and buried his face inside, greedily exploring it. The woman held Liang Yibu's head tightly with both hands, twisting her body to stimulate his lust, while simultaneously clamping her legs together, trapping his hands between them.

"Hoo...hoo...you little slut..."

Liang Yibu felt a surge of lust, sensing the wet, sticky heat between the woman's legs, and his penis instantly became rock hard.

He knelt up, noticing a small tent in his robes. The woman immediately understood and helped him untie it, revealing his erect penis trembling between her bare legs. The woman climbed up, leaned over, and took his penis into her mouth, her face alluring as she sucked and swallowed.

To have such a remarkable woman submit to him filled Liang Yibu with pride and a strong sense of accomplishment. The woman's technique was superb; her sucking and swallowing brought Liang Yibu to the brink of ecstasy, his buttocks involuntarily writhing.

"Ah...ah..."

Liang Yibu cried out in pleasure, shoving the woman down. Without even bothering to remove her clothes, he spread her long legs and pressed his body against hers. With a single thrust, his erect penis forced open her sticky, wet vagina, and with the weight of his body, it plunged completely inside her.

The woman's voice trembled with a mournful cry, like a long sigh. But Liang Yibu wouldn't allow her to move again, pressing his body firmly against hers. This position gave him a violent, conquering pleasure, and he began to thrust frantically. He buried his head in her neck, breathing heavily through his nose.

The bed shook, creaking with their intertwined movements.

His penis churned and thrust between the sticky fluid and tender flesh.

Like a rammed hammer, he thrust deep into the depths of her flesh, making the woman gasp repeatedly from Liang Yibu's frenzied movements. Her lower body felt like it was on fire, filled with burning pain and indescribable pleasure. The collision and intertwining of flesh stimulated every nerve in her body, and copious amounts of vaginal fluid gushed from the crevices between their flesh. The man's breathing was like that of a bull in heat. He held the woman tightly, pressing her down, using his weight and momentum to relentlessly thrust into her, each stroke reaching her very core.

With each thrust, the woman trembled, her eyes glazed and hazy. Although she was pinned down and unable to move, spasms arose within her.

Liang Yibu felt the woman's vagina tightening, and he himself was on the verge of orgasm. Waves of pleasure overwhelmed his reason, but he felt he didn't want to think about anything else; he only wanted to focus on reaching his climax.

After several dozen more vigorous thrusts, Liang Yibu tensed, pressing the woman down firmly, his buttocks pressed tightly between her legs, his waist trembling incessantly, his breath coming in rhythmic, pleasurable gasps, as his hot semen gushed forth. The woman,

now equally aroused, her moans growing louder and more intermittent, her hands gripping the man's back tightly, her legs desperately clamping around his waist.

She was clearly exerting herself, her body trembling several times before relaxing.

This passionate encounter lasted only the time it takes for an incense stick to burn. But this was Liang Yibu's longest record. Although he was power-hungry and lustful, he wasn't particularly well-endowed, and his encounters with his concubines were always quick. Only with Yao Ning could he regain his masculine dignity.

After they had tidied their clothes, the air still seemed to be filled with the pungent, carnal scent of their lovemaking.

"I have something I need you to do ... "

********** ...

After preparing the hay and feeding the dozen or so horses in the stable, it was already late in the day. He turned back into the house, ate some food to fill his stomach, and then sat cross-legged on the couch to begin meditation and breathing exercises.

He didn't know how much time had passed when he seemed to hear some movement outside the door. Tang Yun opened his eyes and listened carefully. He got up and opened the door; it was already late, and there was no one in the courtyard. He closed the door and turned back to the couch when suddenly a thought struck him. A soft sigh came from behind him. Tang Yun's expression remained unchanged, and he didn't move. Two delicate hands then snaked through his body from behind, directly caressing and roaming over Tang Yun's well-developed and muscular chest. A small mouth pressed against the back of Tang Yun's neck,

and passionate breaths reached his ears. Tang Yun knew who it was without turning around; the woman behind him exhaled hot, sensual breaths,

teasing him. His hands also moved back, and the woman's alluring curves were fully within his grasp. The woman's breathing quickened, like a female animal in heat. Her thick, red lips were already kissing Tang Yun's neck, her tongue teasing his earlobe.

The oil lamp on the table was still lit, casting shadows of two figures intertwined, twisting and contorting with the flickering flame.

The woman turned to face Tang Yun, her beautiful blonde hair cascading down. Her lips greedily sucked on Tang Yun's, her tongue like a serpent darting into his mouth, entwining with his saliva and flesh. Her expression was one of lustful hunger, as she clung tightly to the man's body, writhing and panting to arouse his desire.

Perhaps no one would have imagined that the usually cold and aloof Hu woman, with her stern, zombie-like face, would possess such a wanton and seductive expression. Her morbidly unsettling gaze was now filled with the burning fire of wanton lust.

Tang Yun's large hand had already reached inside her robe. The woman pressed Tang Yun down forcefully, and Tang Yun obediently squatted down, lifting her robe to reveal her smooth thighs, then burying his face between her legs. It was filled with a fiery, sensual scent and sticky fluids.

The woman's legs clamped tightly around the man's head, burying Tang Yun's face completely within her most private area, her one hand supporting herself on the table, the other constantly kneading her breasts. With Tang Yun's actions, her body trembled in waves, her muscles tensing and relaxing, her breathing and moans growing increasingly heavy.

Until her thighs began to tremble uncontrollably, the woman almost fell backward onto the bed, revealing Tang Yun's magnificent body. He was now completely naked, his muscular physique strong and well-defined, his magnificent penis standing tall

like a majestic spear, its large glans a deep purplish-red, emanating a uniquely masculine, sensual scent.

The woman gazed at Tang Yun with seductive eyes. The two hadn't exchanged a single word since the beginning, only engaging in continuous, lewd pleasure. When Tang Yun spread her legs and pressed his body against hers, the woman felt a surge of excitement. Her legs involuntarily clamped around his waist, and she felt a hot, hard flesh stretch open her lower body, filling her completely with burning desire.

"Mmm... huff..."

Tang Yun pressed down on the woman, thrusting forward with the force of an ox plowing the field. When he reached the deepest point, he felt the woman's vaginal muscles tighten, a sensation that was incredibly pleasurable.

Although they had already become lovers, her physique, honed through years of martial arts training, allowed her to withstand a man's strength and weight, making each act of intercourse extremely satisfying for Tang Yun. No matter how forceful or rough he was, the woman could endure it all, and seemed to enjoy it immensely.

The woman's legs were clamped around Tang Yun's buttocks, her body thrusting rhythmically with the man's movements, her lewd posture welcoming his invasion. His thick, hard penis was completely buried inside her vagina, his scrotum slapping against her labia, making them even more engorged and swollen. His penis was gripped tightly by her vaginal muscles, the rhythmic movement stirring up a large amount of sticky, lustful fluid, which was squeezed out by the friction of the flesh against the flesh, seeping down her labia and making her already parted vulva wet and covered in mucus.

Tang Yun knew this woman had a large appetite; ordinary men couldn't satisfy her. Since she had actively seduced him, it was his good fortune. After all, she was the leader of Yipintang, his current superior. Now that he had made up his mind, he had to seize every opportunity and utilize every available ally.

That said, no one could have imagined that the leader of Yipintang was actually a Ma Kui Hu woman. Empress Dowager Liang considered Yipintang a thorn in her side and had long wanted to eliminate its leader, but she never knew the leader's true identity, let alone that he wasn't a man.

Moreover, this woman never showed any interest in other men, yet she was devoted to him, which gave him a small sense of pride. To have such a woman submit to him was an achievement in itself. After thrusting his hips more than a hundred times, Tang Yun noticed the woman's body twisting and knew what was going on.

So he rolled over and lay to one side, his wet, erect penis pointing upwards. The woman then rolled over and straddled him, her buttocks sinking down to engulf him completely.

Tang Yun lay on his back, knowing that this woman usually enjoyed riding men for pleasure, seemingly with a sense of superiority. He simply held the woman's legs with both hands, thrusting his hips upwards, while the woman cupped her full breasts in her hands, kneading them incessantly, her buttocks slamming down, completely engulfing his penis, not letting go for a moment, her vaginal muscles clenching and writhing, tightly gripping the intruder.

At the same time, she moaned and panted excitedly, her body drenched in sweat, beads of sweat constantly falling with her vigorous movements, mingling with Tang Yun's sweat.

The intense entanglement of their bodies, the panting breaths, the sweat, the mingling of their scents—the oil lamp still shone brightly, but the air in the room was filled with a strange, suffocating heat of desire.

The woman's black robe was now half-open to her arms, revealing most of her upper body, yet the robe bunched at her waist, her two snow-white thighs spread wide, unable to conceal her.

Coupled with the intoxicated, alluring passion on her face, her wantonness contained a captivating charm, truly possessing a unique allure. Tang Yun's hands were now grasping her breasts, his fingers teasing her nipples. The woman trembled with arousal, her buttocks clenching and twisting, causing the penis to churn and grind inside her, stimulating her most sensitive areas.

Tang Yun, who considered himself experienced in the ways of the world, found himself unable to resist such a ravenous beast. He could only grit his teeth, close his eyes, and desperately endure. The woman, having tormented herself for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, was drenched in sweat, but as expected of a martial arts expert, her stamina was exceptional. She showed no signs of fatigue, only a series of contractions within her.

Was it coming…? Tang Yun could no longer hold back. He gripped her waist with both hands and thrust forcefully. The woman's body suddenly stiffened, then she groaned loudly, almost like a man. She bent down and tightly embraced the man's head and shoulders, sobbing like a bull's panting. Her entire body tensed, and streams of lustful fluid gushed from her core. A violent climax overwhelmed her senses.

Tang Yun, having reached the pinnacle of ecstasy, ejaculated copious amounts of semen, mingling with the woman's vaginal fluids. The viscous, fluid-like mixture flowed from the crevices of their flesh, staining the fur on the bed...

After a long while, the passion subsided, and Tang Yun lay on the bed, watching the woman tidy her clothes. This woman was truly strange; during their lovemaking, she was so unrestrained and carefree that she seemed to lose herself completely, yet afterwards she reverted to her original cold demeanor, as if the woman he had just been rolling around in bed with was a completely different person.

"I wonder what brings you here, Ma Kui?"

"Your fortune has arrived; the Prime Minister is rewarding you for the task you performed last time."

As she spoke, the woman took out a fist-sized agate ingot, crystal clear and lustrous, and tossed it to Tang Yun. Tang Yun caught it and immediately recognized it as a treasure. Agate is abundant in the Hexi Corridor and Gobi Desert, but its colors are mostly red, white, blue, and gray. This agate, however, had large patches of emerald green within its color veins, truly a rare gemstone that was worth its weight in gold.

"Does the Prime Minister have another assignment?"

"If I hadn't painstakingly recommended you to the Prime Minister, would such an opportunity have come your way? If you handle this assignment well, future success and wealth will be assured."

"Does the Prime Minister still despise me, Tang Yun, for being Han Chinese?"

"Do you perhaps have some grievance?"

"How dare I? I wonder what business the Prime Minister has dispatched you this time?" "

Three days from now, you will travel to the Liao Kingdom. " ****************

... Chapter 8 ( March 21st ) Most of the horse caravans doing business in the border regions had dealt with bandits. Some were even part-time bandits. Venturing into the vast grasslands without weapons was suicidal, let alone the Western Xia people secretly entering Liao territory; Shangjing Road was no safe haven. The relationship between Western Xia and Liao was far from perfect. Back then, the Song Dynasty, through Fu Bi's strategy, used the increased tribute during the Qingli era to provoke a conflict between Liao and Xia, leading to Li Yuanhao's infamous Battle of Hequ. From then until the Liang Dynasty, Liao and Xia fought fiercely along the border of the Hetao and Shangjing Road regions, with peace only achieved in the last twenty years. Although there were no large-scale battles between government troops, it didn't mean there were no underhanded tactics. A significant portion of the bandits and thieves active in the jurisdiction of the Heishui Yanzhen Military Command had Liao ties; some were even Liao soldiers in disguise, fleeing back into Liao territory when pursued by the Xia army. The bandits active in Shangjing Road were also secretly supported by the Western Xia, and some troublemaking Zubu tribes even secretly received military aid from the Western Xia. Tang Yun's caravan was one of these so-called "bandit caravans," crossing the border without incident. Soon after entering the country, a large group of riders arrived to meet them, swaggering around without any restraint. The Liao border troops were nowhere to be seen, as if the border didn't exist, allowing people to come and go as they pleased. This wasn't entirely the Liao army's fault; Shangjing Road was now engulfed in turmoil. The rebellion sparked by Mogus had swept across the entire region. It is widely known that although the Liao Dynasty was vast, its strength lay in the three circuits of Nanjing, Xijing, and Zhongjing, where the Khitan, Bohai, Han, and Xi peoples resided. The vast Tokyo and Shangjing circuits, however, were primarily inhabited by Jumi tribes, among whom the Nianbage, Zubu, and Jurchen were known for their unruly nature and immense power. The Zubu and Nianbage, for example, each commanded hundreds of thousands of archers and had frequently rebelled since the Liao Dynasty's founding, leaving the Liao Dynasty powerless to stop them. The current Liao ruler, Yelü Hongji, was tyrannical and incompetent, neglecting state affairs, appointing treacherous officials, and indulging in hunting and feasting, ignoring the suffering of the people. Under his rule, the Liao Dynasty's power steadily declined, never regaining its former glory. With this ebb and flow, ambitious groups from the northern tribes began to stir again, and rumors of the impending end of Khitan hegemony had been circulating on the grasslands for the past few years. In February of this year, a dramatic change occurred. Zubu Mogus was the first to raise the banner of rebellion, sending troops to plunder the various prefectures of Zhaozhen. The Liao Dynasty had established the Northwest Route Pacification Commission in Shangjing Road specifically to monitor the disobedient barbarian tribes throughout the area. The commander-in-chief, Yelü Arushuogu, and the supervisor, Xiao Zhangjiu, were both renowned Khitan generals. Upon learning of the uprising, they mobilized a large force, including the Ershiwei, Zhaila, Beiwangfu, Temanqunmu, and Gongfen armies, to suppress the rebellion. However, they were utterly defeated by the rebels, suffering near-total annihilation, and the northern frontier was shaken. The nomadic peoples of the steppes believed in the survival of the fittest. The Khitan's hegemony was built upon their military superiority. Now, with the Khitan's defeat, the various tribes beyond the Great Wall saw it as a sign that Khitan hegemony was about to end, and that the steppes were about to usher in an era of new power. Thus, the powerful tribes such as the Zubu, Huangdadan, and Baidadan ceased to obey the Liao Dynasty's orders, preparing their armies and awaiting their opportunity. Khitan commands no longer extended beyond Wushan. Emperor Yelü Hongji of Liao paid no heed, continuing his hunting and excursions. Urgent reports from the Daotaling Jiedushi (military governor's office) claimed that neighboring large tribes such as Zubuwuguzha, Dalidi, Bosimu, and Changxiadi were gathering troops and stockpiling provisions for war, their rebellious intentions blatantly obvious. He showed no interest whatsoever. Instead, he appointed Rongge, the Liaoxingjun Jiedushi, as the Southern King, Yelü Tuduo as the Left Yilibi, and Yelü Dabuye as the new Northwest Route Commander, tasked with suppressing the barbarians of Shangjing Road. At this time, Shangjing Road was already in a state of anarchy. Of course, this made little difference to the local peoples. Even without rebellion, these tribes were constantly annexing and fighting each other, a practice that had continued for centuries, untouched by the government. Now, the only additional enemy was the Khitan. For these nomadic peoples, war was an integral part of their daily lives; regardless of who was in power, they still had to pay tribute and have children—it made no difference. So, Tang Yun and his companions passed through several tribes along the way, yet felt no tension of war whatsoever. Herding, fetching water, cooking—the people went about their business as usual, seemingly living quite leisurely and calmly. Looking at these herders, one couldn't sense that the grasslands they inhabited were in the midst of war; perhaps for them, war and peace were truly indistinguishable. Soon, a small grove of trees came into view. After more than ten days of trekking, Tang Yun could finally breathe a sigh of relief. Although the bandits beside him didn't know his true identity, they sensed that Tang Yun was a person of special status and generous spending. Their backers in Western Xia had specifically instructed them to ensure his safety. Now that they had finally reached their destination, they too were relieved. However, this was the heart of the Zubu tribe's territory. This small grove of trees in the grasslands was impossible to find without the help of someone familiar with the terrain. Besides the local herders, only bandits could find it. The cavalry slowly approached the grove, and soon a large group emerged—several hundred people, with numerous camels, horses, and carts. They appeared to be a merchant caravan, and many of the people were dressed in the attire of Han Chinese from the Southern Dynasties. Han Chinese merchants conducting business here! Tang Yun was truly astonished. Furthermore, many armored nomadic riders were also mixed in with the caravan, clearly bandits acting as guards. This caravan was obviously no ordinary organization; the fact that they could use bandits as guards indicated that there were powerful individuals within this Southern Dynasty caravan. Most of the larger bandit gangs within the Liao Kingdom had connections with the Southern Dynasty. While bandits plundered, they needed help to sell their stolen goods, and Southern Dynasty merchants were usually their first choice. Many wealthy merchants in the Hedong and Hebei regions of the Southern Dynasty secretly conducted business in the north, smuggling salt, horses, and pearls, and many of them colluded with the Southern Dynasty. However, it was unheard of for Southern Dynasty merchants to venture so far into Liao territory, with bandits even acting as their protectors. "Let's go, let's go see," Tang Yun said, spurring his horse forward. But the bandits behind him didn't move; their mission didn't include this. This was Tang Yun's personal show. They watched Tang Yun slowly walk towards the crowd, and saw someone draw a bow and arrow, but the Southern Dynasty merchants stopped the archers. Then Tang Yun mingled into the crowd, his activities unknown. About half an hour later, Tang Yun emerged unharmed. Back with his cavalry, he wore a relieved expression and said, "Thank you all." The bandits didn't know what their journey of the past few days had been for, only to be completed in such a short time, but they also knew they didn't need to know. They simply traded the caravan's furs and valuables with the merchants, each returning home laden with their spoils. Was this all the journey for? Some wondered, but no one asked aloud; everyone silently continued their journey home. The return journey was much faster than the journey there; in less than ten days, we reached the border.

To be honest, the trip was uneventful, though the hardships of traveling and sleeping in the open were a bit tough. They didn't encounter the bandits they had anticipated. The bandits bid farewell, and Tang Yun, along with some merchants, entered Western Xia territory. To maintain secrecy, they specifically entered through the desert-surrounded region of the Blackwater Yanzhen Military Command.

The Blackwater Yanzhen Military Command belonged to the Western Xia Right Wing Army, also known as the "Riverside Army." Compared to the wealthy, powerful, numerous, and valiant Left Wing Army, the Western Xia Right Wing Army appeared much more meager. The Yanzhen Army consisted of only two cities: the military command was located between two large lakes on the edge of the desert, while the other small castle was deep in the desert—a vast, sparsely populated area with extremely harsh conditions.

Upon entering the city, it remained lifeless; earthen walls, earthen houses, earthen streets—everything was a grayish-brown. The merchants arrived at the only inn in the city and began unpacking their belongings and ordering food, immediately filling the inn with noise. Tang Yun sat down and asked for a bowl of water. Here, water was much more expensive than wine, much more expensive than grain; one could even say it was the most expensive commodity. He gulped down a large bowl of the earthy-tasting water and let out a long sigh. He took out a handkerchief to wipe his mouth, then ordered a roasted lamb leg to take

with him, filled his water pouch, took two copper coins, placed them on the table, turned, and left the shop, leading his camel away. The shop assistant came to tidy up, casually taking the handkerchief Tang Yun had left on the table. The shopkeeper glanced at him, the assistant met his gaze, nodded slightly, and then hurriedly went to the back with his head down…

July 23rd, Xingqing Prefecture.

Inside a secret room, a silk cloth was spread on Liang Yibu's desk, densely covered with Chinese characters, but most of them were incomprehensible, seemingly Buddhist scriptures.

However, to an expert, these things represented something else entirely. The female leader of Yipintang remained kneeling before him, looking at the results Tang Yun had brought back.

Liang Yibu, who had long fought against the Song Dynasty, recognized it immediately. It was a Song Dynasty military document, written in "secret language," something he had seen many times before. The Song army always used secret language to transmit military intelligence, ensuring its safety even if it fell into enemy hands.

However, this document already contained some inconspicuous "annotations" that clearly revealed its true meaning. Even without them, Liang Yibu was confident he could decipher it. During the decades of war between the Song and Western Xia, tens of millions of Song soldiers had been captured, many of them clerks responsible for translating these secret documents.

This was a transport schedule, clearly indicating the time and route of transport, though it didn't specify the goods. It was likely a shipment of military supplies and equipment for the Song army.

"Prime Minister, there's no turning back now. Make a decision quickly."

"Indeed, proceed according to the plan."

Liang Yibu was also nervous; after so much planning, they had finally reached a crucial step. The bandits of the Red Lotus Society were no ordinary men. The escorting officers and soldiers for the shipment of goods from Kaifeng to the Shaanxi front were not the battle-hardened Western Army, but rather the corrupt and incompetent Imperial Guards and the First Capital Tianwu Infantry. It seemed the Song Dynasty believed there was peace in the inland regions, and with the support of local officials along the way, no one dared to intercept the soldiers.

Shortly after the woman in front of him withdrew, a graceful figure appeared in the room.

"During this journey, has Tang Yun done anything amiss?"

"This servant has been keeping a close eye on him and has not discovered any shady dealings."

Yao Ning's expression was calm and composed. Liang Yibu stroked his chin, thought for a moment, and finally his doubts vanished. He had always thought Tang Yun was a greedy and lustful man; such a person must be short-sighted, and short-sighted people cannot be trusted entirely. But now it seemed he had worried unnecessarily.

So be it! Things have reached a critical juncture; let's not create any unnecessary complications.

Night, somewhere in the eastern part of Xingqing Prefecture.

This was an inconspicuous little neighborhood, containing a temple. There were many such temples in Xingqing Prefecture, related to the Tangut nobles' veneration of Buddhism. In Western Xia society, monks held a special class, sometimes even more prestigious than royalty.

In the back room of the temple, opposite Yao Ning was Tang Yun.

"Xihan Well?"

Tang Yun frowned. The power of Yipintang was indeed formidable; they had quickly uncovered the activities of Empress Dowager Liang's faction in the Tiandu Mountain area. The Tiandu Mountain range stretched for thousands of miles, filled with deep forests and dense mountains. Xihan Well Valley was a secluded place, a perfect hiding spot for troops. It seemed the high monk was helping them dig a well in the mountains to store water. However

, what did the activities secretly undertaken at Xihan Well have to do with dealing with Liang Yibu? The project was massive. In Tang Yun's view, the proximity to the Song border made the large-scale troop deployment a more obvious threat to the Song Dynasty.

"Did you hear all this?"

Tang Yun knew Yao Ning's martial arts skills; they were truly superb, and coupled with Liang Yibu's favor and trust, she could enter and leave secret chambers with ease, and participate in confidential matters. If she really wanted to do something, it would be a piece of cake.

"There's more. If you want to know, I'll tell you."

"What is it?"

"The Prime Minister asked me if you've been well-behaved on this journey?"

Yao Ning smiled and pressed her body against his, her slender figure exuding mature allure. Tang Yun wrapped his hand around her waist and asked in a low voice, "You've been following me all this way?"

He had personally experienced the hardships of the journey; even if a woman disguised herself as a man, it was hard to imagine her traveling alone.

"Yes or no."

Yao Ning's expression was quite provocative, but Tang Yun had already guessed that she had probably disguised herself as someone in Yanzhen Military Command City and met him at close range. After all, survival was difficult enough on the vast grasslands, let alone monitoring a specific target. However, this shows that Liang Yibu is indeed cautious. Although Hu Nu strongly recommended him, Liang Yibu still secretly made some underhanded moves, so Ma Kui might not even know about this.

But Liang Yibu would never have imagined that his favorite concubine would be seducing another man behind his back.

"You didn't just eavesdrop on these trivial matters, did you?"

From her expression, it was clear that this woman had something else going on.

"Of course I did, but..."

Her alluring lips approached Tang Yun's earlobe, her pearly teeth gently biting it. The fragrance of her body wafted into Tang Yun's nostrils, her eyes filled with intoxicating passion. Such a beauty throwing herself into his arms would move even a stone man. Tang Yun was certainly not a stone man. In fact, there was only one part of his body that could rival the hardness of stone at this moment.

With a flip, he pinned Yao Ning down on the bed from behind. Yao Ning let out a soft moan, her charm captivating. Tang Yun's hands slid over her waist, deftly removing her robes, and passionately caressed her firm breasts through her undergarments.

The flames of passion ignited in the temple's meditation room. The woman's skin flushed a vibrant red, her neck arched back, her beautiful hair flying wildly. Tang Yun's trousers were also off, his erect penis standing tall and proud, radiating heat.

Moments later, both were naked. The woman's buttocks writhed wantonly, teasing the man's erect penis. Her dark red, tender vulva was faintly visible, gently touching the large glans. Waves of excitement stimulated his nerves; his penis trembled, almost touching her belly. He adjusted the angle, burying it deep into her wetness, then thrust in forcefully, penetrating her entire length into her vagina. The sticky, tender flesh enveloped the massive intruder, and both man and woman groaned in pleasure almost simultaneously.

With a smile on his lips, Tang Yun swayed his waist and thrust into the woman's pink and plump buttocks. His magnificent penis entered and exited her vagina, carrying a few drops of sticky fluid. The woman's vaginal muscles were stretched wide open, and the tender flesh inside was turned inside out.

Yao Ning's voice trembled slightly, her intermittent gasps and moans barely concealing her intense passion. Unlike Liang Yibu, Tang Yun was a true man, incredibly well-endowed, highly skilled, and with remarkable stamina. Each time they made love, her reason was overwhelmed by waves of pleasure. A fiery rod was rubbing against her inside, and she kept arching her back to meet his thrusts, completely engulfing them in the chasm of desire within her.

Inside the meditation room, the muffled thuds of flesh slapping against flesh were incessant, accompanied by intermittent gasps and moans, both wanton and alluring.

Both were martial arts masters, their stamina was exceptionally high. The woman was pressed down on the bed, her buttocks raised high, half-kneeling, half-crawling, in a wanton and seductive position. Tang Yun held her waist with his hands, thrusting hard, maintaining this position for an extremely long time. An ordinary person would have given up long ago, but Yao Ning's breathing didn't even quicken; she seemed to be thoroughly enjoying her current posture.

The woman's vulva was overflowing with vaginal fluid, her tender labia limp and vulnerable, allowing the man to ravage her. Tang used force to pull her up by the waist, her body standing, but the man remained inside her, teasingly thrusting from behind. The woman's hands braced against the wall, her buttocks raised in a lewd manner, enduring the man's violation.

The man, standing, became more and more aroused, holding her buttocks tightly, his hips pressing against her buttocks without moving, only his internal organs churning.

Waves of pleasure washed over him, intoxicating him. The man's hands reached forward, cupping the woman's breasts, his fingertips teasing her nipples. Under his teasing, the woman trembled, her internal contractions tightening, gripping the man's penis with a pleasurable throbbing, a surge of urge to urinate welling up inside her.

Beads of sweat dripped down with the swaying of her body.

Hot breaths and moans filled the air with sensual allure, the two intertwined bodies radiating an astonishing heat of desire, as if the air in the meditation room itself had become fiery.

The woman's skin grew increasingly hot, a sign of heightened lust.

Her arms hooked around Tang Yun's neck, her face twisted back desperately seeking his lips, while Tang Yun extended his tongue to meet hers. Their lips met, saliva dripping down their chins as their tongues chased each other. Suddenly, the woman's body felt light, her legs hooking around the man's legs behind her. True to her martial arts prowess, her body was incredibly agile; she hung on him, her back to him.

Tang Yun held onto the woman's waist; besides this point of leverage, only his penis, inserted between her legs, mattered to him. In fact, the weight of her body allowed him to penetrate even deeper, reaching the very end of her vagina. He roused himself, suppressing the increasingly intense urge to urinate, and began to thrust up and down, each time reaching the deepest point.

"Ah...it's coming...it's coming..."

At the peak of her passion, Yao Ning cried out in a trembling voice, her body convulsing. Her jade-like arms, wrapped around Tang Yun's neck, tightened, becoming as hard as iron. Tang Yun's neck felt like it was about to snap; he gritted his teeth, letting sweat stream down his face, and continued his relentless thrusting. After a dozen or so powerful thrusts, her inner muscles contracted tightly, and he could no longer hold back, his semen gushing

forth in a torrent of desire. It took a while for both of them to recover from this intense battle. They lay there on the ground, the woman nestled against Tang Yun's chest, as docile as a kitten.

Tang Yun inhaled the fragrance of her hair and gently stroked her shoulder.

"The Prime Minister and Ma Kui have discussed this in secret several times. Although I don't know the details, I've overheard the gist. It seems the Prime Minister is looking for a painting, which is closely related to your current situation."

"A painting? What is it? Where is it?"

"It seems to be in the Eastern Dynasty. Besides that, I know nothing."

************

Xingqing Prefecture, Xia Kingdom Palace.

Here, the Western Xia rulers and officials refer to this as the Imperial Palace.

Back then, Yuan Hao called himself "Son of Heaven," which also implied an intention to become emperor. However, neither the Song nor Liao dynasties recognized the Xia Kingdom's reign title and imperial throne, so he could only call himself emperor behind closed doors. Moreover, the palace's simplicity was insignificant compared to the true imperial palace of the Song Dynasty.

At this moment, the palace was heavily guarded. The six guards within the imperial perimeter were stationed every three steps and sentries every five, all fully armored.

The tense and eerie atmosphere of the past year was palpable to everyone, so these guards dared not be negligent. The power struggles at the top were irrelevant to them; whoever was in power, they were just there to earn their living and serve. At this point, the Empress Dowager was in charge, and they obeyed her. If they inadvertently offended her, their heads would be in danger.

Inside the inner palace, Empress Dowager Liang's expression was grave.

She looked at the white silk on her desk,

with Renduo Baozhong standing beside her. The contents of the white silk were exactly the same as what Liang Yibu had received.

"This is the transport of goods for the Song army. What does Liang Yibu want with this?"

After Renduo Baozhong's explanation, Empress Dowager Liang finally understood. However, even with Liang Yibu's great abilities, he couldn't send Western Xia troops there, let alone transport goods from the Song interior. Moreover, he didn't know what this shipment actually contained.

"Liang Yibu's actions are not without purpose; he must have a hidden agenda."

"You mean..."

"I have long known that Liang Yibu has been colluding with the Eastern Dynasty. Now that his power is waning, how can he sit idly by and wait for his doom? Besides, he has been colluding with the Eastern Dynasty for a long time. If he wanted to do something, he could have just gone to the Eastern Dynasty. Now, however, he has gone to great lengths to go to the Liao Kingdom. This is a smokescreen. Who is he targeting? It is best not to ask."

Empress Dowager Liang already understood; naturally, it was targeting her, Empress Dowager Liang.

"To uncover Liang Yibu's schemes, we must first ascertain the true nature of this shipment. Do you have a good plan?"

"Your Majesty, the Eastern Dynasty merchant caravan entering Liaodong belongs to a wealthy merchant surnamed Lu from Daming Prefecture, called the Fugui Company. There must be someone behind him."

"You shall handle this matter thoroughly. If we can obtain evidence, we shall eliminate him in one fell swoop."

A cold glint flashed in Empress Dowager Liang's eyes. All her hard work had finally paid off.

"Your subject obeys."

July 30th, the first year of the Shaosheng era of the Great Song Dynasty, Bianjing.

In this era, those who had never personally visited Bianjing (Kaifeng), the capital of the Song Dynasty, could never, even with a lifetime of imagination, grasp the true magnificence and grandeur of this most prosperous, wealthy, and enormous metropolis in the world—the only city on earth that never sleeps. Whether Han Chinese, vassal states, or even those with deep-set eyes and high noses who had crossed oceans to reach China, everyone who arrived in Bianjing for the first time was awestruck by its magnificent and resplendent atmosphere. In their minds, this was perhaps a vision of paradise.

At the heart of this vast empire lay nearly 1.5 million people, and every day the city was teeming with people, bustling with activity. The streets were teeming with people from all walks of life, from the most humble professions to the most devoid of social order. Undoubtedly, Bianjing, the capital of the Song Dynasty, was the true center of human society and the pulse of this era. After entering the inner city through

the Zhuque Gate, one had to cross the Longjin Bridge and the Zhou Bridge to reach the imperial city, after which lay the Imperial Street leading directly to the Jingde Gate. Every year during the Lantern Festival, the emperor, along with his officials and concubines, would watch the lanterns from the Jingde Tower, sharing the joy with the people. Two main streets ran through this imperial avenue, and nearby were Bianjing's most famous and bustling areas: Maxing Street, Bianhe Street, and Panlou Street.

These three streets radiated outwards, their alleyways and lanes teeming with brothels, restaurants, and inns, densely packed with thousands upon thousands of establishments representing every trade and profession. From the lucrative Jieshen Alley to the renowned Xiangpeng, known for its diverse arts and crafts, and the prestigious Xiangguo Temple, the capital of the Song Dynasty, Maxing Street extended north to Dahuohang, where the Bai Fanlou, hailed as the premier brothel in the land, was located. It could be said that all 106 trades of Bianjing could be found in this area.

It was afternoon, and Han Yue, dressed in a Taoist robe and holding a whisk, looked every bit the handsome, young, and otherworldly Taoist priest, as he leisurely walked out of the Lijing Gate of the inner city. Most of Bianjing's bustling activity was concentrated in the inner city, while the outer city's four wing areas were mostly residential, but not without places to go. Leaving the Lijing Gate and walking along Bianhe Street, one would reach the Xinsong Gate of the outer city. On this street, Jingde Temple, Maoshan Lower Temple, and Shangqing Palace were all well-known places in Bianjing.

The Taoist temple where Han Yue resided, Liquan Temple, was also located here. Although the Song Dynasty was dominated by Confucianism, it did not suppress the development of Buddhism and Taoism, and both schools were known for their many extraordinary individuals.

While Liquan Temple could not compare in scale to famous Taoist temples like Shangqing Palace, Yanzhen Temple, and Wuyue Temple in Bianjing, it was still one of the well-known Taoist temples in the city, and its Ningbi Pavilion was a famous scenic spot.

During the reign of Emperor Shenzong, the renowned Daoist master Chen Jingyuan, also known as Bixuzi, preached at the Liquan Temple, causing a sensation throughout the land. Emperor Shenzong personally summoned him to the Tianzhang Pavilion and bestowed upon him the title of Master Zhenjing. His commentaries on the *Tao Te Ching* and the *Nanhua Sutra* were even collected by the imperial palace, making Liquan Temple famous throughout the land. Prime Ministers Wang Anshi, Wang Gui, and Han Wei, among others, were close friends with Chen Jingyuan, and Wang Anshi's calligraphy still remains in the temple today. A chance

encounter, a leisurely day spent together, perhaps by the incense offerings of the sacred mountain. The setting sun fades, the yellow dust settles, it seems as if Penglai has descended to earth.

But time has passed, and earlier this year, Chen Jingyuan ascended to heaven on Mount Lu, a great master who has passed away. At this time, Liquan Temple held the status of an official temple. If one were to investigate the Taoist priests within, several, like Han Yue, were suspected of being descendants of the Maitreya sect. Some, who appeared to have entered the sect later in life, seemed more like江湖人 (jianghu people, wandering martial arts practitioners), their conduct inconsistent, appearing respectable in

public but secretly harboring ill intentions. Among them, those skilled in feigning supernatural powers could, even by Han Yue's standards, be considered demonic Taoists. His nominal master, Zhang Huaisu, somehow managed to become a compiler at the temple, spending his days moving among the nobles and wealthy families of the city, cultivating relationships with officials and dignitaries, thus becoming a notable figure in the Taoist community of Bianjing.

However, Han Yue's destination was not Liquan Temple. Although he had lived in Bianjing for two years, he found himself unusually uncomfortable with its prosperity, or rather, uncomfortable with his identity as a Taoist priest. Although this did not prevent him from frequenting brothels, in the Song Dynasty, a country where sensual pleasures were encouraged from top to bottom, Taoist priests were permitted to be near women.

Continuing along the road, weaving through the bustling crowds, Bianjing was indeed Bianjing. Legend had it that only Chang'an and Luoyang during the Tang Dynasty could boast such grandeur; the streets were teeming with people every day, as if it were a festival. Passing the Maoshan Lower Temple, and turning into an alley next to Shangqing Palace, one arrives at Jingde Temple. Not far from Jingde Temple, in another alley, lies the Peach Blossom Cave brothel, a place Han Yue frequented.

Although Han Yue was now a nun, her lustful nature remained unchanged. She felt uneasy without women after a while. This Peach Blossom Cave brothel, though in a secluded location, was a three-story building with carved beams and painted pillars. Along the street, beautiful young women with red sleeves fluttered, and the faint sounds of music drifted out. The entrance was always bustling, indicating good business.

The servant at the door saw Han Yue and gave her a wink. Han Yue leisurely passed by without entering, turning into a nearby alley. The servant turned and ran inside, disappearing into the back room.

This Peach Blossom Cave may not look large from the outside, but it's a hidden gem. The back is connected to the outside, linking to over ten neighboring courtyards, all their property. In Bianjing, the capital city, land is incredibly valuable; even high-ranking officials might not have the financial means to buy such a large plot. Many officials in the capital still rent.

Inside a small building in the back, a beautiful woman with bright eyes and white teeth sits, frowning as she looks at two men before her. Both are dressed as ordinary people, but are strong and muscular, their movements clearly indicating they are martial artists.

"Lu Jingyi, who is this?"

"This man is a merchant from Daming Prefecture in Hebei. He's also well-known among the outlaws in Hebei."

"Who wants to investigate him?"

"The news came from Hong Niangzi in Hebei. We've already accepted her invitation."

The woman knew Hong Niangzi's name; she was a famous leader of the Loyalty Society in Hebei, said to be a descendant of the Yang family generals. Most outlaws in Hebei, Hedong, and Jingdong gave her face; she was a remarkable woman. The woman knew very well that this woman's status in the outlaw world was far higher than that of the former Hedong bandit Su Yanfu. Su Yanfu was merely a bandit, while this woman carried the title of a descendant of loyal officials, her influence was worlds apart.

Since a leader of this caliber had asked for her help, there was no reason to refuse. Outlaws have their rules; since someone had come to her, they must know her background. If she were to make excuses and refuse, her future travels in the Green Forest would likely become doubly difficult, and the foothold she had painstakingly established in the capital would not last long.

Moreover, considering the important matters that needed to be addressed soon, and the need for secrecy regarding her connections with Western Xia, it was best to avoid unnecessary complications and resolve the matter as quickly as possible.

The man surnamed Lu had no connection to the Maitreya Sect, and she didn't know why Hong Niangzi was paying attention to him. However, things in the Green Forest were always strange and unpredictable; perhaps this man surnamed Lu had offended Hong Niangzi in some way, or perhaps there were other reasons. In any case, it was none of her concern, and investigating his background in the capital wouldn't hurt.

The woman was unaware that this merchant caravan surnamed Lu had had mysterious contact with Western Xia within Liao territory, but even if she knew, she wouldn't care. The relationship between the Red Lotus Society and the Maitreya Sect and Western Xia was purely one of mutual benefit; they were not subordinate to Western Xia's army. As for the internal power struggles within Western Xia, she neither understood nor was interested in them.

Whether it was Empress Dowager Liang or Liang Yibu, they were all cut from the same cloth—both were dogs of Western Xia.

Although the Maitreya sect was anti-government, decades had passed, and its descendants had largely been assimilated by the outlaws. While they still viewed the government as an enemy, they had long lost their former ambition to overthrow the dynasty. Moreover, even though they were hostile to the government, they still considered themselves Song and Han people at heart. If they knew about the internal struggles currently taking place in Western Xia, they would most likely be gloating, hoping that these vassal dogs would cause chaos and bloodshed.

"Understood. Most of the wealthy merchants from Daming Prefecture in Hebei also have businesses in the capital. Those from the major urban households are well-informed; we can try to find out more about the Gui Fanlou gang."

Bianjing (Kaifeng) is home to many gangs, mostly composed of unemployed vagrants, thieves, fugitives, and even deserters. These people congregate in the city's underground ditches and canals, committing theft, robbery, and all sorts of evil deeds. They even kidnap innocent women to their dens for rape and abuse, and traffic children, making them a major scourge of Bianjing. Gui Fanlou is the most powerful and longest-standing of these gangs.

During the Later Zhou Dynasty, this mysterious organization, Gui Fanlou, already existed in Bianliang. Later, during the Song Dynasty, Kaifeng Prefecture repeatedly cracked down on it, but with little success. Even when Wang Yansou, the prefect of Kaifeng, almost completely destroyed all the major urban households in the city, Gui Fanlou always managed to resurface. The identities of Gui Fanlou's successive leaders remain a secret.

Within Bianjing City, even outlaws like this beautiful woman knew that Bianjing had its own rules, and there were certain things that Gui Fanlou couldn't avoid.

The two men acknowledged their orders and withdrew. At that moment, a servant slipped in to report, "Reporting to Second Madam, Uncle Han has arrived."

************

Western Xia, Xingqing Prefecture, Chengtian Temple.

Chengtian Temple was the premier temple in Xingqing Prefecture. In the Hexi Corridor, Buddhism flourished, a trait similar to that of the Liao Dynasty in Western Xia.

The Tangut people were devout Buddhists; from high-ranking officials to commoners, everyone believed in Buddhism. The nobles were extremely generous with Buddhist projects, using their money to build temples and sculpt golden statues. Therefore, Buddhist temples were everywhere in Xingqing Prefecture, and these "high monks" entered and exited the homes of officials and nobles with ease, wielding extraordinary influence among the powerful and sometimes even affecting the court.

As usual, Chengtian Temple was bustling with worshippers. Many ordinary people came to pray, while high-ranking officials and nobles arrived in large entourages to burn incense and pay their respects. At the temple gate, numerous ceremonial carriages and processions, along with soldiers and servants in splendid attire, lined the entrance.

Not far away, the sedan chair and entourage of Renduo Chuqing, the Imperial Censor of Western Xia, were slowly approaching the temple.

Renduo Chuqing was the son of Renduo Lingding, a prominent chieftain of the Renduo tribe. Renduo Lingding, Ye Boma, and Mei'emai were once known as the three great generals of Western Xia, having rendered meritorious service in saving the dynasty. They led the army to defeat the Song Dynasty's Yuanfeng Western Expedition.

Later, in the tenth year of the Da'an era, Ye Boma and Mei'emai suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of Song generals Mi Yun and Lü Zhen at Lijiabao in Anyuan Village, and both were killed in battle. In the same year, Renduo Lingding was also defeated by Lu Bing, the military commissioner of Jingyuan Road under the Song Dynasty. Renduo Lingding was killed by Peng Sun, a famous general of the Song army. The chieftainship of the Renduo tribe is now inherited by Renduo Lingding's nephew, Renduo Baozhong.

In the Song Dynasty, the position of Censor-in-Chief was a powerful minister who could influence the government and rival the prime minister. However, in a militaristic country like Western Xia, the actual power of any official position depended on the strength of the army behind it. Renduo Chuqing had not fought alongside his father and had little influence in the army. He also had a poor relationship with Renduo Baozhong. He only obtained this position because of the power of the Renduo tribe, so the position of Censor-in-Chief was more of a sinecure.

Unlike Renduo Baozhong, he did not have strong and firm political views. He was basically a follower, siding with whichever side in the court was more powerful.

After his father died in battle at Jingbian Village, he once hoped that the powerful Liang clan could help him succeed to the throne of the Renduo tribe, but the Liang clan did not approve of him. He harbored resentment towards his cousin, Renduo Baozhong, due to their past rivalry for the throne. Now, with internal strife within the Liang clan imminent, the powerful figures of Xingqing Prefecture felt a chilling sense of impending doom. According to Western Xia tradition, this power struggle would inevitably end in bloodshed, and everyone feared choosing the wrong side and suffering the destruction of their families. Therefore, many Western Xia nobles came to pray for peace during this period.

Renduo Chuqing felt uneasy.

The situation in Xingqing Prefecture had been turbulent for the past two years. While ordinary people might not have sensed it, these high-ranking officials were acutely aware of it.

Since the defeat at Huanzhou, the power of Chancellor Liang Yibu had greatly expanded. Using the pretext of national humiliation, he punished a number of generals of the Left Wing Army and gradually placed his cronies in key positions within the Left Wing. Empress Dowager Liang's faction, having just suffered a major defeat and losing its momentum, swallowed its anger and secretly wrestled with Liang Yibu, waiting for an opportunity to retaliate.

At that time, Liang Yibu was arrogant and overconfident, believing the situation was under control. He acted arbitrarily throughout the country, arbitrarily deciding rewards and punishments, his arrogance reaching its peak. He openly declared that it was inauspicious for a woman to command troops, seemingly holding the upper hand.

However, the disastrous defeat at Youzhou the previous year finally gave Empress Dowager Liang the chance to strike back. Liang Ayi, the military supervisor of Youzhou, was a representative figure of the Liang clan who was close to Liang Yibu, and also Liang Yibu's most trusted confidant in the army. After the major defeat and loss of Youzhou, Empress Dowager Liang immediately dismissed and imprisoned him on charges of disgracing the country with a defeated army, severely damaging Liang Yibu's power in the army.

Although Liang Yibu had many followers, those he could truly rely on were his own trusted members of the Liang clan. His nephews, Liang Agge and Liang Ayi, all held military power, making his position as secure as a mountain. However, a few years ago, Liang Yibu led his army to plunder Chuzhou in Hedong, only to fall into a Song ambush and lose his general, Liang Agge. Now it was Liang Ayi's turn. Empress Dowager Liang's influence within the Liang clan was no less than his, and because she controlled the military power of Xia ruler Qian Shun and Xingqing Prefecture, her influence over the outer court was even greater than his.

Therefore, Empress Dowager Liang had regained the upper hand.

Ren Duo Chuqing understood that regardless of who had the upper hand now, the final showdown had not yet arrived, so it was uncertain who would have the last laugh. The final showdown would certainly be decided by force, but neither side had reached that point yet. The war in the seventh year of the Da'an era, which nearly destroyed the kingdom, was still etched in the minds of the Western Xia court and people. Therefore, before either side was certain they had exhausted their resources, neither would risk provoking a civil war, allowing the Eastern Dynasty to reap the benefits.

Currently, both sides still have leverage. Liang Yibu still has many loyal followers in the court and among his clan, and he is not yet at his wit's end. Empress Dowager Liang is not in a position of absolute victory either; the moment of truth has not yet

arrived. However, Renduo Chuqing is well aware that regardless of who wins, the Renduo clan will certainly find it difficult to remain uninvolved. Renduo Baozhong has the army as his backing, and he will likely be safe regardless of the outcome, but he himself is different. If someone intends to target the Renduo clan, he will be the perfect candidate.

The group arrived at the gate of Chengtian Temple, where the abbot was already there to greet them. Chengtian Temple is extremely popular, with a constant stream of worshippers coming and going. In an ordinary temple, if a high-ranking official like the Imperial Censor came to make offerings and worship, soldiers would clear the area. However, Chengtian Temple is different. Many powerful and influential people frequently visit here, and even the Prime Minister must abide by the rules of the high monks. Moreover, the temple does not refuse donations from the common people, so no one dares to act recklessly. Renduo Chuqing, who held little real power, followed the abbot into the main hall.

The hall was crowded with worshippers. Renduo Chuqing remained impassive, only glancing discreetly. He noticed a young worshipper, kneeling and chanting, rising from his prayer mat.

This worshipper was quite handsome and tall, dressed like a Han Chinese merchant. Turning around and seeing soldiers behind him, he hurriedly bowed to Renduo Chuqing and retreated to the side before leaving the hall. Although Buddhism teaches equality for all beings, and Chengtian Temple did not refuse ordinary people, commoners of Xixia dared not act disrespectfully before a nobleman. This scene was commonplace at Chengtian Temple and not surprising at all.

Renduo Chuqing leisurely took incense, walked to the prayer mat where the young worshipper had been kneeling, offered incense to the Buddha statue, and then gently knelt before the Buddha, his robes completely covering the prayer mat…

Leaving Chengtian Temple, Tang Yun let out a long sigh. After walking a considerable distance and confirming that no one was following him, he strolled into Chongningfang.

Xingqing Prefecture originally existed during the Tang Dynasty, but at that time it was called Huaiyuan County, under the jurisdiction of Lingzhou. In the early Song Dynasty, it was downgraded to a town. Later, Li Deming, the ruler of the Later Xia Dynasty, recognized the superior geographical location of Huaiyuan City, which controlled the Hebei region to the north, connected Qingliang to the south, occupied the upper reaches of various routes, and guarded the vital western border. He dispatched his minister He Chengzhen to supervise laborers to cross the Yellow River to the north and build a new city on the basis of the old city of Huaiyuan. He constructed city walls, palaces, ancestral temples, and ancestral fields, and established his capital there, naming it Xingzhou. After Li Yuanhao ascended the throne, he expanded it on a large scale several times, changing Xingzhou to Xingqing Prefecture. By then, Xingqing Prefecture had gradually developed its imperial aura and become a leading city on the Loess Plateau, known as the "Jiangnan of the North."

Of course, given the level of craftsmanship of the Tangut people, the street layout of Xingqing Prefecture still followed the style of the Tang Dynasty and could not innovate like the Song Dynasty. The horse-riding streets in Bianjing (Kaifeng), which stretched for dozens of miles, were simply unimaginable to the Western Xia.

Xingqing Prefecture was comprised of numerous wards and markets. Aside from the residences of the powerful and wealthy, royal palaces and gardens, and temples, most of the wards consisted of low-lying mud houses and huts, clearly indicating a stark division between rich and poor.

Chongning Ward, however, also housed nobles with its vermilion walls, green tiles, and imposing gates, a stark contrast to the surrounding simple dwellings. This property belonged to the Liang family and was one of the residences of the current Chancellor, Liang Yibu. Originally, this mansion belonged to Li Qing, a favored minister of Emperor Huizong. Later, in the seventh year of the Da'an era, the Liang family staged a coup, imprisoning Emperor Bingchang of Xia and massacring Li Qing's entire family, both noble and common. The mansion then became Liang Yibu's property. After Liang Yibu's death, Liang Yibu succeeded him as Chancellor. Although he moved to the Chancellor's residence, the mansion remained his property.

Tang Yun sat in the tavern across the street, ordered some food and drinks, and silently observed the grand mansion across the street and the arrogant servants at the gate. Suddenly, the muscles around his eyes twitched involuntarily, and veins bulged on his forehead, but he quickly averted his gaze, calmly lowered his head, and began to drink.

After emptying the last drop of wine from the jug, Tang Yun reluctantly lifted the lid again, shook it, and examined it before finally putting it down, closing the lid, and instructing the servant to pay.

The waiter, bowing and scraping, came over to clear the dishes. As he carried the empty wine jug, he glanced furtively at Tang Yun's hand, confirming that something extra had appeared inside. He then made some subtle, discreet movements with his hands before returning to normal as if nothing had happened. Seeing this, Tang Yun asked for five catties of cooked beef and a jug of wine to take home. The waiter loudly agreed, collected thirty-three coins, and left.

Back home, Tang Yun closed the door, opened the package of beef, and found a stack of gold leaves inside. He removed them, dried them, and carefully stored them away before drinking and eating.

If it were anyone else, living such a precarious life, a single misstep would have shattered them to pieces, and they would have long since succumbed to the pressure and gone insane. But Tang Yun was different. Whenever he thought of his true purpose, of the national and personal hatred buried deep within his heart, a strong fighting spirit supported his beliefs. The more dangerous the situation, the more excited and thrilled he felt, while his mind remained calm and composed. Perhaps he was born to live this life of dancing on the edge of a knife, naturally unaware of fear. Now, not only could he eat and sleep well, but he also had the mind to consider the current situation.

The contest between Liang Yibu and Empress Dowager Liang had reached its final stage. Liang Yibu was secretly plotting against the six guards within the palace walls, clearly intending an armed coup. Given the precedent of Yuanfeng's western expedition, to prevent the Song army from taking advantage of the situation, the scale of the unrest would not spread nationwide like in the seventh year of the Da'an era. It should at most not exceed the area of Xingqing Prefecture. However, the military forces of Xingqing Prefecture were entirely under Empress Dowager Liang's control. If Liang Yibu truly harbored such thoughts, he would only have one chance; failure would mean utter ruin.

What bargaining chips did he have? Would he rely on his own household guards and private army to storm the palace? That would be like an egg hitting a rock. Or did he want to emulate Emperor Taizong of Tang's Xuanwu Gate Incident? No matter how you looked at it, he was at a disadvantage in Xingqing Prefecture.

Although Liang Yibu was crude, he was by no means stupid. Having witnessed the bloody coup that imprisoned Emperor Huizong, he should know very well what the key to victory or defeat is.

At this moment, he would not waste time on useless things.

Could it be that mysterious transport schedule? What exactly was that shipment of goods from the Song army?

Liang Yibu's painstaking efforts could not have been in vain. Tang Yun intuitively felt that the goods in that shipment were probably Liang Yibu's bargaining chip, the one that truly changed the balance of power...

************

Han Yue looked at the woman in front of her and sighed inwardly.

Who could have imagined that Sun Erniang, who had fled from Liao to Song territory with him two years ago, would now have transformed herself into a brothel madam in Bianjing, and that this false identity was so well-constructed that it had even deceived the Kaifeng Prefecture. The imperial court still listed the Maitreya sect as a strictly prohibited cult, but there were Maitreya followers openly parading around in Bianjing, even settling down there under various false identities.

This isn't surprising, really. From its inception, the Maitreya Sect has had intricate connections with the Green Forest Sect. Although the Song Dynasty boasts of peace and prosperity, the Green Forest Sect is impossible to eradicate. As long as the Green Forest Sect exists, there will always be fertile ground for the Maitreya Sect to thrive.

Han Yue dares not underestimate this Sun Erniang.

Don't be fooled by her subservient attitude towards him back in the Liao Kingdom; she was subservient to him then. Now, however, she reigns supreme in the Southern Dynasty. Han Yue doesn't believe this woman will be obedient to him just because they've had a few physical encounters. A woman of the Jianghu like her doesn't care about etiquette or chastity. She's had countless casual relationships with men, and before meeting him, her relationship with Su Yanfu was probably questionable.

However, their relationship isn't too bad now. Although there are many Maitreya disciples in the capital, they're mostly scattered and disorganized. The grand ambitions of our predecessors to change dynasties are now considered an absurd joke. Everyone has integrated into this society and this era, though most still engage in illegal activities, their motives have long since changed.

For example, his relationship with Sun Erniang now resembles that of business partners, and their conversation revolves around a business deal.

"Senior brother, it's not that I'm rushing you, but I wonder when your calligraphy will be finished. It's six thousand strings of cash; with your abilities, it should be a piece of cake."

Han Yue had his own calculations. Six thousand strings of cash—this was an enormous sum he could never have dreamed of before, perhaps never again in his life to have such wealth laid out before him.

Back then, as a stable boy, he probably couldn't have earned that much money in his entire life. Isn't life all about money? With this money, he could probably live a life of comfort and security.

But he also understood why his painting was so valuable; it wasn't something he could just casually display on the street. Why was he so desperate in the Liao Kingdom back then? His own family had been wiped out overnight—a stark warning.

If he were to truly make up his mind, he'd probably have to prepare to leave Bianjing. Leaving this colossal, paradise-like city, living a life of anonymity as a wealthy, unknown man—

that didn't seem so bad… He'd always felt out of place in Bianjing's bustling atmosphere. Perhaps he could go to Jiangnan? Or Dali? Western Xia? The world was vast; with his abilities, surely he could find a place to stand?

“Junior sister, don’t be impatient. This matter will be settled soon. However, I have come here today specifically to ask you for some advice. I wonder who is so eager to possess this ‘Erotic Spring Painting’? This matter is of great importance. If it is leaked, it will have far-reaching consequences. I don’t want to die without knowing why.”

“Senior brother, do you not trust me?”

“Junior sister, you are exaggerating. We are fellow disciples, how could you say that? It’s just that lately your servant has been running around the Zhu Family Bridge entertainment district more often. I wonder if he has any rare items in that wealthy merchant’s shop?”

As soon as Sun Erniang heard this, she knew that this cunning man, who was as cunning as a fox, had seen through her. However, she had a clear conscience. She had never intended to cheat Han Yue in this matter. After it was done, she would not shortchange him by a single penny of the six thousand strings of cash reward.

"Since you already know, why ask?"

"The owner behind the Fugui Goods Store is a nobleman in Bianjing, surnamed Yan, a very influential figure in the palace. But I've heard that someone on the street has recently offered bribes to investigate the Fugui Goods Store's background, all because of a private merchant surnamed Lu in Daming Prefecture. I wonder what the reason is?"

Sun Erniang was startled, thinking, "Could it be such a coincidence? The person Hong Niangzi is investigating happens to be connected to what I'm doing? Could the Fugui Goods Store be so coincidentally related to that Lu man in the capital?"

"I haven't heard of this."

"Then I advise you, junior sister, to be careful, lest you be tricked without realizing it. I will not go back on my promise, but the money must be paid first, in the form of jewelry and gold of equal value. Once this is settled, I fear I will have to flee far away to avoid trouble, and you will also be implicated. We will be separated by vast distances, and I cannot wait for you to slowly fulfill your promise."

"I can make the decision for you, senior brother."

"In that case, farewell."

Han Yue bowed and took her leave. Once on the street, she frowned and pondered for a while, but she still couldn't figure it out. She didn't know what Sun Erniang was planning, but it was certain that this matter involved the power struggle within the Song court.

The backer of that wealthy goods store was the clan of Lady Yan, the wet nurse of the current Empress Meng of the Song Dynasty, and her erotic painting involved Liu, the favored concubine of the Song emperor. Consort Liu was exceptionally beautiful and charming, deeply favored by the Song emperor. Empress Meng, on the other hand, was chosen by Empress Dowager Gao for the emperor and had never been favored. The rivalry between Consort Liu and Empress Meng for the emperor's favor was no secret within the palace.

But why would someone from the outlaws investigate the secrets of the wealthy merchant guild? Could it be that the palace intrigue had extended beyond the palace walls? The Song dynasty was not like the Tang dynasty; the power within the inner palace was far less than that.

But thinking about it, why bother with such worries? His lecherous and promiscuous nature is truly incurable.

Having finally settled down in the Southern Dynasty, he's now embroiled in this mess.

Of course, while he sighs at the situation, he doesn't regret it. To have the privilege of experiencing the carnal pleasures of the most noblewoman in the land, a stunning beauty at that, to watch the dignified and inviolable Empress of the Song Dynasty indulge in unrestrained debauchery beneath him, shamelessly pleasing him with her alabaster-white, alluring body, enduring his near-humiliating manipulation—the stark contrast in their social status brought an unparalleled thrill. The Song Dynasty has always prided itself on being a land of propriety, yet its court is no better than the barbarians they speak of.

Before this, hadn't he also never imagined that coming to the Song Dynasty would bring such a thrilling romantic encounter? Who could have imagined that the supposedly peerless Consort Liu was actually a beautiful and dignified woman on the outside, but a wanton and lustful harlot on the

inside? Ordinary people have a natural awe for the imperial palace; even officials would never be able to enter it in their entire lives—it was the emperor's residence. However, there was a group of people who, not high-ranking officials, could enter and leave the palace as if it were nothing.

Those were monks and Taoists.

Including his nominal master, Zhang Huaisu, their ability to enter and leave the palace was all thanks to the Prince of Suining. The Prince of Suining was the younger brother of the current Song emperor, so entering and leaving the palace was naturally easy for him. Moreover, this prince was extremely devoted to Taoism, and because of his influence, the atmosphere of Taoism was very strong in the palace. It was through this opportunity that Han Yue "met" Consort Liu.

Moreover, once inside the palace, Han Yue found that the palace was much more relaxed than he had imagined. For example, he had many affairs with Consort Liu, and in the heat of passion, he acted wantonly, but no one noticed, and no one dared to report him. Those legendary guards, eunuchs, palace maids, and female officials seemed to be completely blind to the truth. Han Yue estimated that someone should have noticed, but no one dared to speak up. This was truly unbelievable to him, yet it was happening right before his eyes.

Perhaps once the veil of mystery surrounding the palace was lifted, the inside was just like any other place. When it came to scandals within the royal palace, no one dared to speak out. Without factual evidence, falsely accusing a concubine was a capital offense. Even if the accusations were true, for the sake of the royal family's reputation, they would ultimately be silenced. Thus, the choice became logical.

In the minds of ordinary people, the palace was the most sacred and heavily guarded place. It was practically impossible for someone to enter the palace and commit adultery with a concubine without being discovered. However, things that seem impossible are often surprisingly simple to do.

Of course, as the protagonist of this story, Han Yue wasn't particularly nervous. Originally a Liao person and a descendant of Maitreya, he lacked the proper reverence for the Song Dynasty. In his eyes, he would live in Bianjing if he could, and leave if he couldn't. He figured he'd get his money first, and only after indulging in women would he feel he'd made a profit.

He needed to find a way to enter the palace again soon; Consort Liu was completely infatuated with him, obedient to his every whim. He figured a little trick would be enough to achieve his goal. By the time she realized what was happening, he would already be long gone.

August 1st, Bianjing.

The development of events had exceeded Sun Erniang's expectations. She wasn't surprised that Han Yue also knew about the affairs in Hebei; someone like Hong Niangzi had extremely wide connections, practically a powerful figure in both the legitimate and underworld circles, and certainly wouldn't be the only one who knew. But the fact that the man surnamed Lu was the owner of the Fugui Trading Company and had connections with the palace was something Sun Erniang couldn't help but be wary of.

She probably knew something about why the painting in Han Yue's hands was so valuable; it was simply a relapse of Han Yue's old illness. Someone wanting to buy it must be related to palace intrigue.

So, was Hong Niangzi's attempt to get rid of this guy surnamed Lu aimed at their Red Lotus Society? Or perhaps at the painting itself? Probably not. If that were the case, they would have been straightforward from the start; why beat around the bush? With Hong Niangzi's power, making things difficult for the Red Lotus Society would be easy; the Red Lotus Society was no match for them.

In other words, her connections with Xixia hadn't been exposed. The other party wasn't targeting her.

The results of Gui Fanlou's investigation were also surprising.

This private merchant surnamed Lu had more than one business in Bianjing; the famous Yichenglou restaurant near Xizhou Wazi was also his property, and his backer was equally formidable—Gao Shiliang, the Left Wing Commander of the Divine Guard Army under the Imperial Guard Infantry Division. Although this man was a military officer, he was a relative of the late Empress Dowager Gao. While imperial relatives in the Song Dynasty rarely dared to interfere in politics, he was still related to the imperial family, making him far superior to ordinary military officers.

This Gao Shiliang happened to be a regular at the Peach Blossom Cave brothel. Sun Erniang knew him very well; she didn't know much about his military skills, but he was famous for his love of wine and women. Despite being a military officer, he always presented himself as a scholar, and when drunk, he would ramble on and on about poetry, appearing to be a typical example of an incompetent person who had a successful career.

Of course, regardless of his incompetence, he paid to come, and the brothel usually fawned over this Grand Commandant Gao. He had been infatuated with the famous courtesan Yunniang for quite some time.

"What did he say?"

Sun Erniang frowned, looking at Yunniang. This beautiful woman was also a secret disciple of the Maitreya Sect, making it easy for her to ask.

"After getting drunk, Grand Commandant Gao and several officials rambled on incoherently. He seemed to be saying things like, 'The treacherous clique of Emperor Xifeng is in power,' 'A petty person is stirring up trouble in the west to curry favor,' and 'This plan will surely fail,' etc. Later, one of the officials sobered up and stopped the others, and Grand Commandant Gao stopped talking."

Stirring up trouble in the west? Could it be that war is about to break out in Western Xia again? Sun Erniang muttered to herself. What she was doing was closely related to Western Xia, and there must be a connection between the two. Thinking of this, she suddenly felt that she might have been caught in some terrible vortex. As a commoner, she didn't understand the affairs of the court, but having come from a bandit background, she had an innate intuition for danger.

Perhaps once this matter was over, she really couldn't stay in Bianjing anymore; she should quickly find a way to sell this property.

August 2nd, Bianjing Imperial Palace, Yaohua Palace.

Hao Sui, the western-bound official, exited the hall. The palace maid Su Hu, standing at the door, bowed to him and addressed him as "Guard." Hao Sui, as a eunuch, held a higher position in the palace than Su Hu, but he dared not underestimate this woman. She was a trusted maid of Consort Liu, highly skilled in both martial arts and horsemanship, and Consort Liu was currently the Emperor's most favored concubine.

As a powerful eunuch in the inner palace, Hao Sui naturally knew the true nature of the young Taoist priest currently alone with Consort Liu. Under the guise of preaching, it was in reality a blatant affair between a man and a woman, an affair everyone kept quiet about. Such matters had to be kept strictly secret; if even a whisper leaked, he would face certain death. Even if he reported it, he would surely be silenced to protect the royal family's reputation.

Moreover, this Taoist priest had been introduced to the palace by the Prince of Suining, and Hao Sui had always allowed him in. Given the connection between the Emperor's brothers, he couldn't escape responsibility. (

Chapter 9, March 21)

But this was also an opportunity.

Hao Sui had his own plans. The Song Dynasty was not like the Han and Tang Dynasties; eunuchs had few opportunities to rise in this court. Even renowned figures like Qin Han, Wang Zhongzheng, and Li Xian, who had once commanded troops and guarded regions, could have their lives decided by a single word from the officials of the outer court. He lacked military talent but possessed ambition, wanting to become a true high-ranking official. The best way to achieve this was to find a powerful patron, and Consort Liu was a ready-made one.

His current private actions for her would surely be rewarded in the future.

Of course, this matter is currently being kept completely secret. While the inner palace appears heavily guarded to outsiders, it's not as mysterious as it seems. Once you find the right connections, entering and leaving the inner palace is as easy as entering your own home. If Empress Dowager Gao were still in charge of the inner palace, no one would dare commit such an act of debauchery. Unfortunately, Empress Dowager Gao is dead, and Empress Dowager Xiang is now in power.

This Empress Dowager is naturally indifferent to worldly affairs and dislikes power struggles. She is also a devout follower of Buddhism and Taoism, and she frequently summons monks and Taoist priests to the palace—a phenomenon that has existed since the founding of the Song Dynasty.

A few monks and Taoist priests entering the palace wouldn't attract much attention; even Empress Meng frequently summoned that nun Fa Miao to the palace. The most crucial point is that absolutely no one would suspect anyone of being so audacious as to commit adultery in the inner palace—this is the blind spot.

Consort Liu is exceptionally beautiful and intelligent, and by flattering Empress Dowager Xiang, she has a surprisingly good reputation with the Empress Dowager. Now that the emperor has no son, if Consort Liu can give birth to a son for him first, the future empress's position is uncertain, since Empress Meng has never been favored by the emperor.

This young Taoist priest is here to perform a ritual for Consort Liu to pray for a child. As for how to perform the ritual, whether he personally performs the insemination in bed, that's not Hao Sui's business.

Thinking this, he summoned two trusted eunuchs, instructing them to keep watch outside the palace, and then he withdrew.

Inside the inner palace, red candles flickered, and the air was filled with the fragrance of ambergris. The furnishings were exquisite and luxurious, but not as opulent as ordinary people might imagine; instead, they exuded a fresh and elegant atmosphere. The Song Dynasty imperial family had always practiced frugality. Empress Dowager Xiang, the head of the inner palace, was a naturally frugal person. In recent years, the court's financial policies had been chaotic, with the national treasury's money being used for war. The emperor disliked extravagance, so no one in the inner palace wanted to trouble him with such matters.

Consort Liu, her eyes brimming with intense desire, reclined on her phoenix couch, smiling as she gazed at the young Taoist priest before her.

Ever since her first tryst with this young Taoist, she had never forgotten the sensation. The thrill of sneaking around, risking her life, was utterly irresistible. The Emperor, though deeply fond of her, was physically weak and, frankly, could not satisfy her desires in bed. Constrained by royal decorum, she could not act as freely as a lowly courtesan in a brothel before the Emperor, and usually had to bury her burning desires.

But this young Taoist had finally ignited the fire within her. Each time they made love passionately, sweating profusely, she felt a complete release of pleasure throughout her body. And the Taoist's virility was exceptionally strong, truly capable of bringing her to the brink of ecstasy.

She was addicted, truly addicted to this Taoist, to his body. She, a dignified Consort of the Great Song Dynasty, the most beautiful woman in the palace, had been bewitched by this Taoist priest, willingly allowing herself to be raped and toyed with by him. Was this man truly her destined nemesis?

For example, right now, she couldn't believe she was lying here so willingly, letting him admire and paint her. It was utterly unbelievable; she had actually agreed. What kind of magic had he used to make her so infatuated, doing things she would never normally do?

In his presence, she even felt like she wasn't herself anymore, but a completely unfamiliar woman.

However, this Taoist priest's painting skills were indeed exceptional; no wonder he had won the favor of the artist, the Prince of Suining.

The woman in the painting was unmistakably herself, her features incredibly lifelike, even down to the mole on her left breast. The painting depicts her own body reclining on a couch, her eyes conveying unspoken emotions, her alluring beauty unparalleled. Her phoenix eyes radiate boundless passion, and the surrounding furnishings are identical to those in the Yaohua Palace, clearly indicating that the painter depicted herself.

Even more remarkable are the poems beside the painting, which she would inscribe after each intimate encounter with the Taoist priest.

The priest would only complete a portion of the painting each time, and upon closer inspection, they were truly shameful: "A three-foot fragrant ribbon binds the lotus blossoms, emerald peaks rise after the rain on Wushan Mountain. Leaning against the jade bed, spring's beauty is captivating, crow feathers and cicada wings half-fluffed."

This was the poem the priest inscribed after their first tryst. She responded with her own: "The pillow is painted with mandarin ducks, long since we've roosted, Newly planted mist-shrouded roosters fight. In a sweet dream with my love, I forget the dawn, Even the rooster lingers, refusing to crow."

Such erotic words would make even the prostitutes of brothels blush; she would never have dared to dream of such things. Yet, she had boldly written them down, feeling only excitement and aversion, without a trace of fear. Liu Qingqing truly felt she had lost her mind. This Taoist priest was her nemesis; how could she be so willing to be manipulated by him?

Further down, there were: "The wind stirs the lotus blossoms, the water pavilion fragrant; a banquet for the King of Wu is held on the Gusu Terrace. Xi Shi, drunk, dances gracefully; smiling, she leans against the white jade bed by the east window. The road leads to a small paradise; amidst the falling petals, she encounters a beautiful woman. Her jade-like face and flower-like countenance are hard to resist; she wishes to be a fairy of clouds and rain on the Yangtai Terrace."

These were all erotic poems, presumably written by the Taoist himself. Recalling the two of them entwined in bed, rolling and tumbling in pleasure, Liu Qingqing felt a stirring in her genitals, a wetness welling up, and her face began to flush.

But then the Taoist priest wore a captivating, wicked smile. That smile was so alluring; who knows how many young girls he had bewitched with it, how many innocent women he had ruined? The priest gazed up and down at her alluring, naked body, and suddenly, with a flourish of his brush, a new work was added to the scroll: "Her cloud-like hair, combed and fragrant, coiled loosely, she smiled as she casually placed a golden phoenix sash. Your jade-like face, adorned with such beauty, is as enchanting as a cloud, almost tempting. Your raven-black skin, your gleaming light, are more alluring than anything seen by the pillow. Your

snow-white thighs, framed by a crimson skirt, exude boundless charm in their curves. Awakening from a nap, she is delicate and timid, leaning gently against the curtain. Her bones are tender, her breasts full, like jade peaks, like spring breezes in the mandarin duck quilt.

Her phoenix eyes, clear and bright like water, clearly see flowers and the moon. A captivating smile, a dreamlike quality after drinking. A touch of allure, a whisper of affection, tears of longing arise in her eyes."

Her delicate eyebrows, like a crescent moon, subtly mimicked a frown, full of unending affection and spirit. She lowered her head, seemingly thinking of Zhang Chang, a touch of silk embroidery cleverly embellishing the spring. Her hair was as green as mountains, as fresh as willows, pure and spotless in the mirror.

Golden lotuses, dragons, and phoenixes adorned with gold and kingfisher feathers, accentuated the double jade hooks of the lotus. Small and delicate, she walked with a self-pitying timidity, her swing skirt flowing freely. She walked through flower-lined paths, up small pavilions, the shallow dust and narrow imprints causing her sorrow.

Her jade-like eyebrows, like spring onions, were beautiful and slender, her sleeves embracing fragrant silk, deeply protected by powder. She laughed, her skillful use of burning flower branches revealing her talent, and even more so, her lingering affection. Words on the loom, sounds on the strings, her slender red fingers conveying her heart.

Her willow-like waist, so supple and graceful, seemed to transcend the mortal world, her beauty surpassing even that of Xiao Man. She learned the delicate makeup of fashionable officials, her slender waist flowing freely. She danced low, her arms drooping, as if dreaming of lovemaking.

Her soft breasts, like two small, crimson peaches, were a cluster of lustrous, jade-like flesh. She is not easily seen by the spring breeze, her jade-fastened red silk clasp securely bound. Warm as jade, smooth as ointment, her touch, when drunk, stirs a wild excitement.

Her powdered neck and frosty skin remain unblemished, her elegant charm adorning her temples. Even if her fragrant powder fades, she can still find solace on her pillow when weary. Delicate and graceful, she always draws my gaze, a sight to behold.

Her red lips, painted with rouge, are adorned with a beautiful red makeup, half-open, still exuding the fragrance of jasmine. Who can recognize this sweet fragrance? She is devoted to her lover in the bedchamber. Like a peach in bloom, a pomegranate bursting open, her reflection reflected in a jade cup.

These ten exquisite poems were composed in one go, much to the delight of Consort Liu. These ten poems perfectly captured the charm of women, showing that this Taoist priest was truly a hero born from a world of women, possessing an unparalleled understanding of them. On a whim, he composed a matching poem, "Looking South of the Yangtze River": The moon over the south, like a mirror, like a bow, shines coldly on the twelve peaks of Wushan. Morning clouds and evening rain have vanished without a trace, as if I were standing before the Guanghan Palace. The moon and flowers, a perfect setting, a scene unlike any ordinary fifteenth night. The clear moonlight and fragrant shadows are seen through the curtains, spring resides in the painted hall.

Having finished her poem, she threw down her brush, unable to contain the burning passion within her. She grabbed the young Taoist's robe and pulled him forcefully, causing him to fall onto the bed. Consort Liu rolled on top of him, their passion ignited. Clothes flew off and tossed aside, the naked man and woman embracing tightly, rolling about on the brocade couch…

Song Dynasty, Linyan Road, Tongzhou.

When a fast horse arrived at the east gate of Tongzhou, Zhang Jie and his family and dozens of guards had just left the city.

Inside the carriage, Zhang Jie looked at the secret letter taken from the wax pill and couldn't help but sigh deeply.

His spies in Western Xia were still loyal and dutiful. Even though he was no longer Commander Qing, they still passed this intelligence to him. Liang Yibu, the governor of the Song Dynasty, was scheming about this shipment of military supplies.

He also didn't know what kind of military materials were being transported that warranted such attention from Western Xia.

However, he was no longer a high-ranking official, so this intelligence was useless to him. Furthermore, his current position was not suitable for inquiring about the details of this shipment. Zhang Jie understood the principle of not interfering in matters outside one's authority.

Five days ago, the imperial decree arrived, and his official position was no longer that of Prefect of Tongzhou, but rather Prefect of Yingtian Prefecture as a Scholar of the Longtu Pavilion.

His lifelong ambition lay in Western affairs; he always dreamed of one day conquering Hengshan, crossing the vast sea, and witnessing the rise of a powerful army. Unexpectedly, after the great victory at Huanzhou, he was demoted. At that moment, he understood that with the old party in power, his ambitions were doomed. He had originally thought that with the new party in power, he would be reinstated. The result was that he was transferred further and further away from Shaanxi. Although Nanjing Yingtian Prefecture was one of the secondary capitals of the Song Dynasty, the prefect of Tongzhou was definitely not as important as the prefect of Yingtian Prefecture. This trip could be considered a promotion, which also showed that the New Party still valued him. But what about Yingtian Prefecture? He had

painstakingly laid out plans against the Western Xia for so long, seeing the Western Xia repeatedly defeated and demoralized, with internal instability, yet the morale of the officers and soldiers was high, and the situation was very favorable. It was the perfect time to advance. But he had been in Tongzhou for two years. It was truly a case of "out of sight, out of mind," and all his previous efforts had been wasted. Now he was being sent to Yingtian Prefecture again. Who knew when he would be able to return to Shaanxi?

However, this was a helpless situation. The ancestral laws of the court would never allow one person to hold military power in the same place for too long. His prestige in the Western Army had soared due to the great victory in the Battle of Huanzhou, almost like Wang Shao in his prime. How could the court be at ease? No matter which faction came to power, they all had to make a show of it.

The intelligence he held was top secret, clearly delivered at great personal risk by spies within Western Xia. However, it was now useless. Even if he notified the other border generals, they couldn't verify its authenticity. Reporting to the court that there were spies in Bianjing leaking military intelligence to Western Xia would likely be met with disbelief.

He was no longer a border official, yet the Western Xia spies remained personally loyal to him—a transgression against the court. He absolutely could not willingly hand this incriminating evidence to others for impeachment.

His trusted general, Zhe Keshi, was reliable, but he was currently in Lanzhou, far too far away. Unlike his own fate, after the New Party came to power, Zhe Keshi, this valiant general, was transferred back to Xihe Road to guard Lanzhou, a crucial frontline town in the war against Western Xia. However, as the prefect of Lanzhou, he had no authority over matters outside Lanzhou's jurisdiction.

Moreover, Zhe Keshi was not a puppet; on the contrary, he was an extremely shrewd and decisive person. If the credibility of this intelligence source could not be verified, it would be difficult to persuade Zhe Keshi. Otherwise, who knows if it wasn't a counter-espionage plot by Xixia?

However, regarding his identity as a spy in Xixia… as a master of espionage, Zhang Jie naturally knew the importance of secrecy.

Therefore, Zhang Jie could do nothing now, but to do his best, he still summoned his trusted family member Zhang Li, wrote a letter, and asked him to take it to Lanzhou and deliver it to Zhe Keshi. As for what happened next, he was helpless. Afterwards, the group embarked on the long journey eastward in the desolate autumn wind…

Bianjing Palace, Yaohua Palace.

The air was filled with the hot, pungent smell of sexual intercourse. Two naked bodies were intertwined on the bed, the sounds of flesh rubbing and slapping against flesh were lewd and wet, accompanied by the excited moans and panting of animals mating.

The young Taoist priest lay supine on the couch, pinned down by Consort Liu, who straddled him. Consort Liu resembled the lowest prostitute in a brothel, rubbing her large breasts against the man's chest. Her two swollen nipples resembled two plump purple grapes. Her body was completely pressed against him, her swaying waist held and caressed by his hands. Her buttocks twisted and turned, swallowing and releasing his thick, fleshy penis, appearing and disappearing intermittently. Glistening, sticky fluid, like silver threads, smeared the penis, mixed with fine white foam. Their joined bodies were already soaking wet.

Truly, truly, it felt so good. This was the true benefit of being a woman…

Although she was a noble first-rank consort, she could never experience the true pleasure of being a woman. Although the emperor doted on her, she had received strict etiquette training from childhood, and would never do anything improper. Normally, when the Emperor favored her, he was always proper and would never do anything licentious or impolite. Moreover, even the Emperor's manhood wasn't as large as this man's; she rarely experienced the same unbridled pleasure with the Emperor.

Their lips pressed hotly together, their tongues entwined and chased each other, glistening with saliva. Consort Liu pressed her body against the man, pressing down on him with maximum force, her arms clasped tightly, holding him down with all her might, as if trying to swallow him whole. She breathed heavily, like a man, her buttocks clenched, sucking hard on his penis—a sign of impending climax.

Suddenly, her body trembled a few times, her arms around the man's face tensed, biting his lips, desperately sucking his saliva as if it were the most delicious nectar.

Afterward, her body finally relaxed, but it wasn't enough; the intruder inside her was still clearly as hard as iron. She could do it all again. Looking at the man's handsome face, she was utterly captivated. She longed to melt into his arms, to become one with him forever, to be filled by him forever.

Yet, this unrestrained, wanton behavior was something she would never dare to display, even when alone with the emperor. The emperor was to be a role model for the people, and such unrestrained behavior would do no good to the simple, honest customs of the populace. The emperor would certainly not appreciate it, and the officials of the outer court would absolutely not tolerate it.

But this was truly who she was. Despite her usual adherence to traditional virtues, striving to appear dignified, noble, and pure, deep within her heart burned a fiery desire—perhaps this was her true nature. Every night, when no one was around, the fire of desire tormented her body. She longed for a man to embrace her with his strong arms, to ravage her flesh, to let her experience the unbridled, unrestrained union of man and woman.

Liu Xianfei straightened up with a vengeance, straddling the young man's hips in an extremely shameful posture. Her genitals pressed tightly together, she twisted her waist wildly, letting the hard object churn inside her, the overwhelming pleasure almost drowning her. She controlled the rhythm, trying her best to ensure that each thrust reached her most sensitive spot, rising and falling with each bounce. Each thrust of her buttocks completely swallowed the man's penis to the hilt.

The feeling of fullness and satisfaction was indescribably pleasurable.

Only with this young Taoist priest could she have her desires fulfilled. Only then could she expose the darkest, most lewd side of her heart, and fully enjoy the pleasure of sexual intercourse. What methods did this Taoist priest possess that could make her even abandon her dignity, acting like an animal in heat, only knowing how to copulate? It was truly unbelievable; she was completely infatuated with him.

Think of the stories of the Tang Dynasty: Wu Zetian, Empress Wei, Princess Anle, Princess Taiping, Shangguan Wan'er… These women are all recorded in history. They were also women of the harem, yet they could control their own destinies, do whatever they wanted, and have as many men as they desired. Why couldn't I? Was it simply because I was born in the boring era of the Song Dynasty?

The Taoist's hands caressed the woman's waist, kneading her smooth skin, while his lower body thrust incessantly, making a gurgling sound, sticky and wet, like a stick stirring in mud. The woman's body trembled with his movements, the thick, hard penis violently rubbing against her tender flesh and mucous membranes, striving to make a way through, reaching the very end each time. Her sensitive flesh tensed and trembled desperately, becoming increasingly wet.

"Please, Your Majesty, rise…"

The Taoist's voice wasn't loud, but it possessed a magnetic charm. Consort Liu naturally knew what he wanted to do. It was said to be a secret Taoist technique, something she would never dare use when having sex with the emperor. Such behavior was reserved for lowly harlots in brothels, not befitting the noble Consort Liu.

Like a dog—it was utterly insulting, yet this insult gave her a perverse, forbidden thrill. Perhaps deep within her own heart lay a desire for depravity. The thought of her noble body being violently possessed, shamefully played with, and crudely violated by a man other than the emperor created an indescribable psychological sensation that triggered a strong physical reaction.

Her buttocks were suddenly slammed, a familiar, hot, hard object penetrating deep inside. Then, two strong hands gripped her waist, and the man's firm, muscular abdomen slammed against her buttocks—once, twice, three times. Liu Xianfei's soul, along with the lewd thrusting, gradually floated into the sky. Being violated and played with from behind in this shameful state, having her filthy semen ejaculated into her body, leaving indelible marks—all of this only fueled her lust.

At this moment, her mind was filled only with the ecstasy of pleasure and her thirst for men; she craved to be filled with their semen, to be completely satisfied…

After a long, long time, the commotion in the room finally ceased.

Liu Xianfei, a smile of extreme satisfaction on her face, watched the Taoist priest add the final stroke to the scroll.

She had once again broken these inhuman shackles; these so-called taboos were utterly meaningless. She was just a woman who wanted a man, nothing more. At this moment, Consort Liu truly wanted to stand up and announce to the whole world that she had been cheating on the emperor with another man behind his back. She wanted to be with another man in front of the emperor, imagining the emperor's expression as the best aphrodisiac. The joy she felt was indescribable; she felt as if the dark clouds had dispersed, the mountains that had been suffocating her had been lifted, and now the sky was clear and sunny.

How difficult would it be to have her seal painted on the canvas? It was another perfect irony. Every time she saw herself on the painting, along with her poems and seals, it was as if she had broken this taboo once again.

In this man-dominated world, she was rebelling in her own way. "

I want to cheat on you, ladies! If you scholars and moral gentlemen can't stand it, you deserve to die of anger!"

That afternoon, as Han Yue left the Chenhui Gate of the Forbidden City, she looked back one last time at the slowly closing palace gates.

"Bianjing, I, Han Yue, have left my unique mark here!"

He had done what he needed to do. As for what Sun Erniang would do with the painting, what court struggles it would involve, and whether it would cause trouble for his cheap master Zhang Huaisu and his "fellow Daoists," he had no obligation to care. He just needed to leave safely with the money.

He could foresee that, regardless of the painting's ultimate purpose, it would stir up a storm in the capital, potentially engulfing his Daoist temple and everyone connected to him.

Although he was a disciple of Maitreya, it didn't mean he had an obligation to sacrifice himself for the Maitreya sect. Besides, the Maitreya sect no longer existed. All that remained was naked monetary transactions.

Perhaps it was time to say goodbye to this great city…

August 8th, the first year of the Shaosheng era of the Song Dynasty, Shaanxi, Jingzhao Prefecture, Linjing Town.

Along the riverside official road, numerous caravans were wearily moving forward. Judging from the flags on the caravans, they were government transport vehicles. Such caravans were common in Shaanxi. Once past Jingzhao Prefecture, they theoretically entered the front lines of the war against Western Xia. Since Li Yuanhao's turmoil in China, the Song Dynasty and Western Xia had been at war for decades, with large quantities of military supplies being transported to the front lines almost daily. For the people of Yongxing Military Road, this was a common sight.

Inside the caravans, herds of donkeys and mules pulled heavy carts. Most of the drivers were dressed in the uniforms of the Xiangjun soldiers, while soldiers in the uniforms of the Imperial Guards shouted orders. Although they were soldiers, none of them wore armor or carried weapons; these cumbersome items were piled on the carts, and the ranks were disorganized, with flags out of order.

This kind of military discipline was also something the people along the way were used to seeing.

According to the military system of the Song Dynasty, the main force for daily battles was the Imperial Guard, whose soldiers were selected from the Supervising Troops and local patrol troops. Those incompetent in the Supervising Troops were reorganized into the Non-Supervising Troops, who were responsible for transporting supplies. They were not trained in battle and were not good at fighting; their expertise lay in transporting supplies across mountains and rivers. For example, after Wang Shao opened the Xihe region, the court obtained 20,000 horses annually from the Qinghai-Tibetan tribes in the Xihe region through the salt and tea trade. All of these horses were transported by the Chengdu Road's transport troops, carrying tea into Tibet in exchange. It can be said that this tea-horse road was paved with the bones of these transport troops. Naturally, such troops could not be expected to have good discipline.

The Imperial Guards accompanying the army were from the Tianwu Infantry under the jurisdiction of the Palace Guard. These imperial guards, accustomed to a life of luxury and privilege while stationed in the capital, had never seen battle and considered themselves members of the "Upper Four Armies"—genuine Imperial Guards—were incredibly arrogant, believing themselves to be the elite of the land. Once outside the capital, they looked down on any army stationed there, not even their fellow imperial guards stationed in Shaanxi.

In their minds, being chosen from a million-strong army to guard the capital was proof enough of their superiority, while those who were rejected and deemed incompetent were sent to the borders to fight the Western Xia and Khitan. Although they had never seen what the Tangut people looked like, nor knew where the "Western Xia" kingdom was, they believed that the Western Xia's long-standing arrogance was only due to their "elite" duties; otherwise, what were these mere Tangut barbarians worth?

With this mindset, these Imperial Guards felt it was beneath them to travel alongside these "country bumpkins" of the local militia. How could they be content without putting on airs? Military discipline wasn't a rigid matter; in a war zone, one would naturally be more cautious. But since they were still on their own territory, why create such trouble?

The large contingent, noisy and dragging their feet, advanced along the road beside the Jing River towards Binzhou.

The Jing River is one of the largest tributaries of the Yellow River in Shaanxi Province. Leaving Jingzhao Prefecture and heading north, it enters Huanqing Road, passing through Binzhou, Ningzhou, Qingzhou, and Huanzhou before reaching Western Xia territory. Hongde Village, a place of deep sorrow for the Western Xia army, lies beside the Jing River, though that section of the river is locally called the Maling River. Within the territory of Jingzhao Prefecture, which also served as the boundary river between Jingzhao Prefecture and Yaozhou, after passing Linjing Town and heading north along the river, no more towns could be found until crossing Jiujun Mountain and reaching Changning Village in one go, thus entering the territory of Huanqing Road. Only then did the mission of this troop come to an end.

Reaching Linjing Town meant that the end of this journey was already foreseeable.

In a small village outside Linjing Town, the troop entered in a grand procession, immediately causing chaos in the village. Local officials and clerks called on the villagers to welcome and reward the "royal army" by preparing food and lodging. The villagers mingled with the soldiers in a noisy cacophony, the animals pulling the carts bellowed, the carts were jostled and unable to move, the soldiers shouted and cursed, and the imperial guards rushed into the roadside taverns to relieve their fatigue, creating a chaotic scene.

Such a thing would have been unimaginable in the strictly disciplined Western Army. Having been in a state of war for a long time, the Western Army had developed a habit of maintaining a high degree of secrecy in its military operations through countless bloody lessons. Any march of more than a hundred men would be accompanied by a special scout unit to clear the way. In a war zone, anyone who happened to be on the troop's marching route, or anything that might potentially leak information, would be ruthlessly eliminated by the scouts. Even on their own territory, everyone outside the military would be isolated at least three miles away from the marching route. If a Western Army unit were to pass through this village, everyone, young and old, would likely have vanished without a trace, instead of the chaotic scene resembling a market day.

Inside the village's only tavern, the imperial guards, unable to understand Shaanxi dialect, were shouting and behaving arrogantly, slamming tables and throwing benches while cursing. The waiter and manager, also not understanding much of the Bianjing Mandarin and Hebei dialect, had already received four slaps and a kick in the blink of an eye, but dared not utter a sound. They simply served the food and drink to these convicts with smiles, not daring to ask if they intended to pay.

Meanwhile, the escorting general Huang Dechen and the lieutenant Xue Qing had already broken away from the main force and entered the market town of Linjing.

Both men were from military families in Hebei, their ancestors having served in the imperial guards. Huang Dechen had even served as a rank-and-file bodyguard before being transferred to the Imperial Guard Infantry Division as a captain. His title of "general" was actually just a specific designation for the Song army's supply convoy, not an indication that he was a real general.

According to Song army regulations, these supply convoys were not allowed to enter the town; they had to camp independently and be separated from other people. Fortunately, the two men hadn't completely forgotten the rules of the military. The local garrison soldiers naturally didn't have the privilege of resting in the town, but the Imperial Guards were a different story. After all, this was still within the territory of Jingzhao Prefecture, far from Western Xia; what could possibly happen? Those garrison soldiers numbered seventy or eighty, and their carts were armed. Who would dare to be so foolish as to provoke the government troops? They had never heard of any notorious bandits or outlaws in Jingzhao Prefecture, let alone a large contingent of nearly a hundred government soldiers, including twenty elite Imperial Guards. Even in

Jingdong Road, the most rampant area of banditry in the Song Dynasty, no bandit had ever dared to attack a large contingent of government troops. This wasn't just robbery; it was rebellion. Not to mention Shaanxi. The court and Western Xia had been at war for decades, and Shaanxi was heavily fortified, with hundreds of thousands of elite government troops scattered throughout the region. The military and prefectural officials sent here were all capable ministers. What bandit would dare to act rashly and invite a government crackdown? It's fair to say that Shaanxi had virtually no space for banditry, and there were no known notorious bandits or

outlaws. If one had to name one, it would be during the reign of Emperor Renzong several decades ago, when the Tanguts rose to power and the borders were in turmoil. A notorious bandit named Huang Lun, who ruled the mountains, calling himself the Heavenly Virtue King of Yama's Village, and gathered over a thousand outlaws. He plundered prefectures and counties, wreaking havoc, and even colluded with the Western Xia to plot a rebellion. Later, in the seventh year of the Qingli era, when Bao Zheng was the Shaanxi Transport Commissioner, he

dispatched troops to suppress him. More recently, two years ago, the notorious bandit Su Yanfu from Hedong was captured by government troops in Huanzhou. He fled to the Song-Liao border but was apprehended by a patrolman named He Guan of the Volcano Army and eventually brought to justice. Aside from these, there were no other notable bandits in Shaanxi. In short,

the two men didn't take this assignment seriously at all; it was essentially a government-funded trip for them to enjoy the scenery, nothing more. Along the way, at each stop, local soldiers provided assistance. These soldiers were hardworking and conscientious, enduring hardship and sleeping outdoors, and being temporarily away from the bustling city of Bianjing, they had little to complain about.

Upon entering the town, the two men's first priority was finding a brothel. After searching for a while without success, they settled for an inn. Inside, their eyes were immediately drawn to two women, undeniably alluring and beautiful. The two strong men, having traveled from Bianjing for nearly ten days without any opportunity for release, were like flies to a rotten egg. They didn't care whether the women were respectable or not; they approached them, half-coaxing and half-forcing, and abducted the two women into their room.

Naturally, no one dared to intervene.

The innkeeper and his assistant watched silently, without uttering a sound. The innkeeper subtly gave the assistant a wink, and the assistant bowed and left. A careful observer would notice that the two men were robustly built, with thick calluses on their hands—a trait only found in those skilled in archery. Many men in the town also possessed similar features.

Although Huang Dechen and Xue Qing sensed the two men might have martial arts training, they paid no attention; their focus was entirely on the two women. With the Song Dynasty now implementing the Xi-Feng New Laws and the reinstatement of the Baojia system, mandatory martial arts training was in place for the entire population. Shaanxi was known for its fierce people and constant warfare; encountering martial artists was not unusual, it would be strange not to.

Among the passersby outside the town, many secretly observed the group of soldiers, including some of the townspeople—men and women—who all seemed a bit off.

The imperial guards, however, simply assumed these country bumpkins had never seen anyone from the capital before, and their contempt only grew. Although these garrison soldiers were unfamiliar with warfare, they spent their days escorting tribute goods across the country, traversing mountains and rivers, often to lawless and uncivilized lands. They inevitably encountered bandits and pirates, making them quite experienced. Some of them noticed suspicious behavior among the local people, but when they reported this to the imperial guards, they were only met with ridicule and scolding. The soldiers, having been rebuffed, had no choice but to slink back to their posts and busy themselves with cooking.

In truth, they themselves didn't believe anything could go wrong in Jingzhao Prefecture. Jingzhao Prefecture was the capital of Shaanxi, known for its excellent security, and even Huanqing Road was heavily guarded. Although Prime Minister Zhang Jie had left, his successor, Prime Minister Fan Ziqi, was a capable minister who managed both the military and the people. What could possibly go wrong here?

Inside the inn in town, the sounds of men and women panting and moaning, along with the creaking and shaking of tables and chairs, filled the room with an air of lewdness. Even the sounds carried outside. A waiter, huddled against the wall, listened for a while, then his breathing quickened before he quietly slipped out.

Huang Dechen, naked from the waist down, sat on a bench, holding the woman tightly in his arms. Her clothes were ripped open, revealing a mound of snow-white breasts, glistening with the man's saliva. Her lower body was also naked, and she sat between his legs, letting him torment her like a beast in heat. The fluid from their genitals soaked their thighs, making the man even more smug; his muscular body glistened with sweat, and his tiger-embroidered suit trembled.

The woman's arms were braced on the table as the man gripped her waist and thrust forcefully. Her buttocks trembled with each impact, her hips undulating, while she moaned as if desperately thirsty, further fueling the man's lust.

"What a charming lady! Today, I'll give you a good time..."

Huang Dechen truly hadn't expected to find such a beauty among the village girls in this remote mountain village, one who was no less alluring than the courtesans in the brothels of Bianjing. He was glad he'd come all this way; otherwise, with his military pay in the capital, he couldn't afford such a beauty. Thinking this, he tightened his grip on the woman and thrust harder, as if determined to get his money's

worth. The woman felt a thick, hot, hard object completely occupying her vagina, as if trying to expel all the air from her body. She gritted her teeth, enduring the man's assault, experiencing both pain and pleasure, her moans becoming increasingly seductive.

The man's penis pounded and rubbed against the tender flesh of her vagina in the sticky, wet fluid, producing a lascivious sound. At this moment, Huang Dechen was extremely excited, pressing the woman's stomach against the table and thrusting into her buttocks from behind. His scrotum swayed, relentlessly slapping her smooth buttocks, leaving red welts. The woman's legs trembled, almost unable to stand, her stomach aching from the pressure, yet she dared not cry out, fearing it would ignite the man's even more savage lust.

Huang Dechen was incredibly excited by this conquering position, which amplified his brutal pleasure. They pressed flesh against flesh, rubbing and squeezing desperately. After a few violent thrusts, he suddenly pushed forward, his entire penis penetrating to its deepest point, trembling as he ejaculated. Thick semen mingled with the woman's vaginal fluid, forming a milky white viscous liquid that seeped from their joined bodies, running down his legs. He

tormented her for a good half hour, ejaculating three times before finally releasing his pent-up desire. The woman lay on the bed, ravaged like a lump of mud, her wide-open genitals a mess, the pungent smell of semen and vaginal fluid filling the air. He dressed and went outside, only to find Xue Qing already finished and in the courtyard. He chuckled inwardly at Xue Qing's empty boasting, but the two exchanged lewd laughs, their unspoken understanding unspoken.

"I never imagined these village women could be so alluring and beautiful. Looks like this trip to Shaanxi wasn't in vain,"

Huang Dechen said with a satisfied, lewd grin, clearly savoring the carnal pleasure of their recent encounter.

"Brother, since you've taken a liking to these two, why don't we take them back to Bianjing?"

"This…"

Huang Dechen pondered for a moment. These two women were strikingly beautiful; it would be a lie to say he didn't like them. However, they must be registered residents in the local government, not unregistered refugees. As a soldier, he couldn't openly abduct them. Besides, women were taboo in the army; military law clearly stated that violating this rule would result in exile.

"That's not difficult," Xue Qing said. "These two women are probably just village girls. We can take them to Bianjing to enjoy its luxuries and wealth, and even help them find a husband in an official's household. That's already a favor to them; why wouldn't they agree? As for their household registration, what does it matter? They're in charge of the common people; how can they govern us officials?"

Xue Qing's words were clearly an attempt to bully them. In fact, such things were common in the Song Dynasty. Even the most disciplined Western Army frequently harassed civilians, let alone the arrogant and fierce soldiers of the Palace Guard. The soldiers of the Palace Guard mostly came from the Hebei region, known since the Five Dynasties for their unruly and arrogant nature, and their penchant for oppressing the common people. It was commonplace for their army to abduct people, engage in forced buying and selling, steal chickens and dogs, extort money, and rape women when they passed through the area. Huang Dechen was well aware of this, and Xue Qing's words emboldened him.

"Brother, what you say makes sense, but bringing women into the army is inconvenient. We need to find a way to conceal it."

"That's not difficult, but we need to subdue these two women first."

After the two returned to the house and frightened the two women, they achieved their goal effortlessly. The two village women had never seen anything like it. The highest-ranking official they had ever seen was the local militia, while these two officials were high-ranking officials from Bianjing (Kaifeng). In their minds, they were practically emperors—people they could not disobey. Having already been taken by others, they could only lament their misfortune, destined to belong to someone else for life.

Huang Dechen and Xue Qing, however, were overjoyed. They hadn't expected these two women to be widows, their husbands both local archers from Binzhou. Last year, Zhang Yun decisively defeated the Xia army at Da Wu Shen Dui Liu, and their husbands were conscripted and both died on the front lines. Forced to return to their parents' home in Linjing Town, they worked at this shop to supplement their income, enduring much humiliation from the lecherous shopkeeper and forced to sell their bodies. Their bodies had already been taken countless times.

These two women, their bodies thoroughly explored, had seemed experienced in bed to them from the start, but they hadn't expected them to be such sluts. However, they weren't expecting anything from these virtuous women; after all, there were no men in the house, so they were completely at their mercy.

“Brother, that makes things easier. Tomorrow we’ll be crossing Jiujun Mountain. We can have these two women act as guides and stay with the army. After we cross the mountain, they can disguise themselves as men and try to conceal their identities. On the return journey, we brothers will be in charge of the army, so who will bother with these trivial matters?”

“That’s excellent. Do you two know the way across Jiujun Mountain?”

“Reporting to you, sir, the mountain to the north is locally called Bijia Mountain. My late husband’s family lived in Mating Village. I always had to cross Bijia Mountain to return to my parents’ home, so I know the mountain path very well. It’s said that there’s an emperor’s tomb in this mountain, a feng shui treasure land where nine dragons gather, but I don’t know if it’s true.”

Huang Dechen knew about this. Jiujun Mountain was the burial site of the Zhaoling Mausoleum of Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin, a great ruler of the Tang Dynasty. When the Tang Dynasty was at its peak, emperors often carved mountains into mausoleums, a custom that began with Zhaoling. Zhaoling Mausoleum was carved into the mountainside, with an underground palace built at the base of the peak. Together with its accompanying tombs, the complex stretches for dozens of miles, creating a magnificent and awe-inspiring sight. However, during the chaotic late Tang Dynasty, with warlords vying for power, Zhaoling was not spared from being looted. Now, only the ruins of the underground palace remain. It is truly lamentable that the tomb of a once-powerful emperor has become a haven for wild animals.

Geographically, the Jiujun Mountains are surrounded by the Jing River at the back and the Wei River at the front, separated from the Guanzhong Plain to the south by the Taibai and Zhongnan peaks. The mountains are rugged, with towering peaks and deep ravines, a landscape of mountains and water. The mountain is quite magical. Viewed from the south, it resembles a cone; from the west, it looks like an inverted bucket; and from the east, it resembles a pen rack. Hence, the locals call it "Pen Rack Mountain." Such a majestic and sacred mountain probably has the protection of the spirit of a wise ruler from a previous dynasty. What kind of person was Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin? A true Son of Heaven, descended from the Purple Star. Crossing this mountain, one probably can't wander aimlessly; one wrong step might incur divine retribution. Speaking of which, these two women are indeed quite useful.

"You two wait here, I'll go talk to that old man."

Huang Dechen and Xue Qing cheerfully went to find the innkeeper ahead. Surely that old man wouldn't dare to stop them.

Sun Erniang and Yunniang watched the two men's retreating figures, a flash of disdain in their eyes.

These were the government soldiers, all good-for-nothings who indulged in wine and women. Originally, they had only sacrificed themselves to test the strength of these two officers in charge, but they hadn't expected them to be such incompetent fools. They were completely different from the local Shaanxi soldiers. Being able to infiltrate large groups of soldiers to gather intelligence meant they were more confident in handling important matters. Judging from these two incompetent men, the scheme they devised at Bijia Mountain was bound to succeed…

********************************* (Separator)

On the same day, in Bianjing.

Tong Guan watched the forty-something-year-old Taoist priest stagger into the temple, feeling utterly helpless.

Although he was a eunuch, he was strong and valiant, his skin rough and dark from years of martial arts training, and he even had some beard on his chin, making him look nothing like a castrated man. This was probably related to the fact that he had been castrated and entered the palace in his twenties, unlike many eunuchs in the Song Dynasty who came from eunuch families; he had castrated himself.

After entering the palace, Tong Guan became a disciple of Li Xian, a renowned eunuch during the reign of Emperor Shenzong. Li Xian was a rare eunuch in the history of the Song Dynasty, skilled in both literature and martial arts, loyal to the emperor and patriotic. He fought for many years against the Western Xia, Qinghai-Tibet, and Qiang people, making outstanding contributions to the country. In the Song Dynasty, a fifth-rank eunuch entering the Inner Palace was the highest rank among palace officials. To advance further, one needed exceptional merit. Influenced by Li Xian, Tong Guan also developed a fondness for military affairs and martial arts. In fact, since the founding of the Song Dynasty, martial arts were not forbidden in the inner palace, especially during the reign of Emperor Shenzong, who strongly promoted self-strengthening. Therefore, many eunuchs and even palace maids were proficient in horsemanship and martial arts, and many even possessed unique skills. Tong Guan was one of the most outstanding among them.

However, Li Xian was demoted after the change of dynasty. Although Tong Guan was now thirty-seven years old and had been in the palace for more than ten years, and was confident in his outstanding talent, he was still an insignificant figure. A person's rise to prominence isn't solely based on ability; opportunity, luck, and even the assistance of a powerful patron are also crucial. The harem is teeming with ambitious, capable, and well-connected individuals like him. If he didn't seize every opportunity, he would remain a lowly eunuch for life.

And now,

such an opportunity presented itself. Gaining favor with a powerful figure like Hao Sui was his chance. While Hao Sui's talent paled in comparison, he was a former servant of Consort Chen, the mother of the Prince of Suining, who was the Emperor's most favored brother. Furthermore, Hao Sui had ingratiated himself with Consort Liu, the Emperor's most beloved concubine, with rumors circulating that he intended to change the Empress. Coupled with the Empress

Dowager's favor, Hao Sui also enjoyed the Emperor's deep trust. For such a powerful figure to show him such favor—to miss this opportunity would be a death wish.

However, Tong Guan secretly wondered about the background of the Taoist priest named Han Yue. The Song Dynasty's imperial harem had always favored Buddhism and Taoism. It seemed Consort Liu was a devout Taoist, having once summoned a Taoist priest to the palace to preach. Judging from Hao Sui's secretive demeanor, this matter was likely related to palace secrets, something they didn't want to publicize. Otherwise, why would they send someone disguised as a commoner to secretly investigate? Surely the Imperial City Guard and Kaifeng Prefecture could catch a mere Taoist priest?

In any case, fortune favors the bold. If he succeeded, he would rise to prominence; if he failed, he would die without a burial. The Song Dynasty had a tradition of not killing scholar-officials, but not of not killing eunuchs. The power struggles within the inner court were far more brutal than those in the outer court. Countless eunuchs and palace maids died mysteriously in the palace every year.

However, it was too late. Han Yue had left without saying goodbye ten days ago. No one knew what wicked deeds he had committed; he had probably already fled far away. The Taoist priests in the temples knew nothing about his whereabouts, many feigning ignorance. Tong Guan was certain that someone among them must know the inside story, and that only by mentioning Kaifeng Prefecture could they find any clues. Unfortunately, they couldn't report him to the authorities for arrest. Not only did the Taoist priests in the temples associate with powerful figures and have many powerful backers, but Hao Sui had repeatedly emphasized acting secretly, warning that if the matter became public knowledge, he would be executed.

However, Han Yue wasn't a deity with the ability to become invisible; he couldn't erase all traces of himself. Having lived in the capital for over two years, and being a handsome and dashing figure, he attracted attention wherever he went.

For example, most of the taverns and inns in the area knew him, and they were well aware of his frequent visits to the Peach Blossom Cave brothel.

Although the laws of the Song Dynasty did not prohibit Taoist priests from engaging in sexual relations, it was still too conspicuous for a monk to frequent brothels. Moreover, it was strange that he was rumored to have a close relationship with a woman named Madam Sun who worked at the brothel, and this woman was said to be one of the owners. After Han Yue left without saying goodbye, Madam Sun, along with several beautiful courtesans, also left at the same time, and no one knew their whereabouts.

Was this a coincidence? Tong Guan didn't think so. Although he didn't know what crime Han Yue had committed, it was definitely related to the palace, or perhaps Hao Sui had personally given a strict order, possibly involving Consort Liu. This matter was no small thing; once exposed, it would be a sensational case.

With such important connections involved, even if Han Yue had committed some crime, he certainly hadn't done it alone; he must have had accomplices.

Thinking this way, could those courtesans…?

Tong Guan dared not underestimate women; after so many years in the palace, he knew that women were not to be underestimated. Empress Dowager Cao and Empress Dowager Gao were both women, and now Consort Liu is another—they are all ruthless killers. Even those seemingly meek and submissive palace maids and talented women are often surprisingly capable. Otherwise, why would the Maitreya sect bandits, who staged a mutiny among the imperial guards and attempted to assassinate the emperor during Emperor Renzong's reign, be so easily defeated by Empress Dowager Cao and a group of seemingly weak palace maids and eunuchs? Tong Guan,

confident in his martial prowess, wasn't without self-awareness. Within the palace, he knew of at least nineteen people more skilled than him. And who knew of the countless others from other palaces he hadn't met?

Perhaps these prostitutes were truly extraordinary. Tong Guan had heard the saying, "Many extraordinary people dwell in the marketplace and brothels." Weren't the swordsmen and immortals in storytelling often just ordinary people?

However, it was impossible for him to investigate the backgrounds of those prostitutes on his own; such matters required the assistance of the Kaifeng Prefecture. These prostitutes, able to operate within the capital, must have been registered in the Kaifeng Prefecture's local government system; their departure from the city would also require official documents. As for Han Yue, being a nun, her departure from the city would certainly be registered with a travel permit. However, if he were to go to the Kaifeng Prefecture himself, he probably wouldn't even be allowed through the gates. He wasn't on official business, but had secretly left the palace; if he were apprehended by any civil official with even a modicum of power, he would be beaten to death on the spot—a pointless death.

The Song Dynasty was not like the Han or Tang Dynasties; Tong Guan was well aware of the power held by Song Dynasty scholar-officials. His predecessor, Li Xian, had risked his life on the battlefield, achieving numerous merits and remaining utterly loyal to the country. If a civil official disliked him, a single word could decide his fate.

And now, the Prefect of Kaifeng, Wang Qinchen, was a man of profound learning, known as the greatest bibliophile of the Song Dynasty. He was known for his integrity and moral character; such a man was a typical scholar-official. How could he possibly fare better than a eunuch like himself? Even if Hao Sui came, without an imperial decree, Wang Qinchen would still dare to execute him. Even with an imperial decree, Wang Qinchen could still refuse to comply if he wanted to; after all, he was a "scholar-official."

It seemed this matter required intervention from someone of a higher rank. Fortunately, he hadn't returned empty-handed…

******************************** (Separator)

August 9th, Jingzhao Prefecture, Shaanxi, Jiujun Mountain.

Jiujun Mountain was quite majestic, being a feng shui treasure land once chosen as the imperial mausoleum. Although it was late autumn, the mountain was still lush and green, with abundant trees and vegetation, but the official road at the foot of the mountain was difficult to traverse. In the Tang Dynasty, the ancestral mausoleums naturally had dedicated personnel for maintenance and repair. Now, centuries have passed. Zhaoling Mausoleum has been desecrated, and Li Shimin's remains are scattered. The continuous warfare of the late Tang and Five Dynasties period left the road unmaintained, riddled with potholes and overgrown with weeds. Only in the last decade or so, with the court focusing on western affairs and continuous border battles, did local officials mobilize manpower to repair the road. However, due to its inherent deficiencies, this official road remains difficult to traverse.

The caravan stretched along the road, with Huang Dechen and Xue Qing riding at the head of the procession. They had long known of Jiujun Mountain's fame, but upon closer inspection, it was nothing special. The mountain was covered in lush, verdant forests, but otherwise unremarkable. Birds sang and mountain springs gurgled; if scholars and poets came, they would surely compose poems to commemorate their ancestors. However, the two were uneducated, rough military officers, merely looking around listlessly.

Behind them, two women dressed as soldiers mingled in the group. These two were Huang Dechen and Xue Qing's spoils of war. The local garrison soldiers dared not interfere, pretending not to see them. The Imperial Guards, however, laughed and winked. They were used to disregarding military discipline; harassing locals, abducting people, and assaulting women were all considered normal for them. What was this little thing?

Around noon, a commotion broke out on the previously deserted mountain road. A group of people was approaching.

Huang Dechen and Xue Qing tensed up. In this desolate wilderness, with no village or shop in sight, where did all these people come from? Could they be bandits? Despite their usual self-importance, they couldn't help but feel nervous in a critical moment. They reined in their horses and looked back to see their Imperial Guards far behind, all looking nonchalant. The local garrison soldiers, however, looked at the approaching group with suspicion.

Huang Dechen and Xue Qing turned around simultaneously, spurred their horses back to their unit, and rejoined the main force, their courage returning. They randomly selected a soldier and ordered him to question the people blocking the government's path.

The soldier went to inquire, and as the people approached, they appeared to be soldiers in uniform. However, they were not imperial guards, but rather local patrol soldiers.

In Shaanxi, there were hundreds of thousands of local archers; they were practically everywhere, and encountering them on the road was not uncommon. These local soldiers belonged to the local government patrols and were not even considered part of the garrison troops. They were the lowest, largest, and most impoverished rank in the vast armed force stationed in Shaanxi by the Song Dynasty. While the garrison troops received some pay, the local soldiers received no pay, whether fighting or performing menial tasks for the government. The Imperial Guards, the Military Inspectors, and the Barbarian Army of the Great Song Dynasty were dedicated to combat, while the Military Inspectors were responsible for miscellaneous tasks. Moreover, the local militia had to fight and perform menial labor, making their work the most arduous and resulting in the most deaths and injuries, yet they were the most discriminated against and could be ordered around by anyone.

Huang Dechen, seeing that the other party's attire didn't resemble bandits or villains, felt somewhat relieved. But then he heard a soft exclamation behind him. Turning around, he saw the beautiful woman disguised as a man, her head bowed, hiding behind her, one hand covering her mouth, as if she knew someone.

"The leader over there is Inspector Ma from Changning Village..."

the woman whispered.

Huang Dechen, seeing her expression, asked curiously, "How did you know?"

The woman blushed and remained silent. Huang Dechen immediately understood. Since this woman's husband's family had been in Chunhua County, she would have passed through Changning Village on her way to her parents' home. Such a beautiful woman would inevitably attract attention, and it seemed that this woman and this Inspector Ma probably had some kind of ambiguous relationship. However, this also proved that the people coming were indeed government troops.

Thinking this, Huang Dechen relaxed. Since they weren't bad people, there was nothing to fear. He was an officer of the Imperial Guard of the Upper Fourth Army, while this so-called Inspector Ma was just a country bumpkin, a nobody. How could he be worthy of his attention? The fact that he even gave him a second glance was already an honor.

Sure enough, a short while later, the soldier returned to report that the other party claimed to be a local militiaman from Changning Village, who had come to meet him. He presented a waist token and an official document.

Huang Dechen pursed his lips, glanced at the dragon-edged letter, then at the waist token, but didn't look at it carefully. What was his status? These few local militiamen weren't worth his attention. But then, Inspector Ma appeared before him, bowing and saying that an imperial

messenger from the capital had arrived, and that he was sorry for not welcoming him properly. He said that he had come on behalf of the chieftain of Changning Village, bringing water, wine, meat, and provisions to welcome him and escort the convoy across the border. Upon hearing that there was wine and meat to eat, the Imperial Guard soldiers immediately cheered. The soldiers, knowing they had no place in the army, didn't entertain any improper thoughts. However, some veteran soldiers harbored doubts. To prevent a repeat of the Five Dynasties period's demise caused by military men, the Song Dynasty maintained strict military laws and regulations, imposing numerous restrictions on soldiers. Locally stationed troops were responsible for their respective territories, and unless there was an emergency or an order from the central government, they were not allowed to cross borders into neighboring areas without authorization.

Of course, these rules were established at the beginning of the dynasty. In Hebei and Jiangnan, where peace had prevailed for nearly a century, military discipline had declined, and laws were lax; sometimes, violations were seen. But this was Shaanxi, Shaanxi where war had raged for nearly a century. The Western Army's discipline had always been the best among all the Song armies. The same violation elsewhere might result in a beating, but here it could mean death!

The front lines and the rear were always different.

Moreover, such incidents hadn't occurred in any of the places they had passed along the way. Changning Village belongs to Huanqing Road, which is separate from Jingzhao Prefecture. The garrison can wait on the border of the prefecture and no one can say anything. Why should they risk breaking the law to come and flatter these Beijing troops? If it is an escort, there are not many of these people. They are unarmed and do not carry any weapons. They don't even have many sets of paper armor. What use would they be if an emergency occurred?

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