[Fantasy] Water Margin Heroes (Complete) - 31-33

Chapter 141 The Mixed-Race Beauty

"

After a neighing of horses, the army stopped two miles away, with only a few dozen riders slowly approaching.

As they drew closer, it became clear that it was Hua Rong and the various tribal Khans.

Upon reaching them, Hu'er Zhas Husi bowed on his horse and proclaimed loudly, "The various tribes of the grasslands, hearing that the Heavenly Khan was coming, awaited His Majesty's arrival as if anticipating a star. The various tribes of the grasslands are willing to follow the Heavenly Khan's horse's tail, chasing the sun and the moon."

Hua Rong saluted and then quietly retreated behind Zhang Yang.

Seeing the group drenched in sweat and their horses panting heavily, clearly having traveled a long time, Zhang Yang couldn't help but ask, "Where have you come from, all of you travel-worn?"

Hu'er Zhas Husi replied, "A few days ago, we pursued the Tatars deep into the grasslands. Remembering our agreement with the Heavenly Khan, we rode quickly here and finally met him on the grasslands."

He wiped his sweat and pointed to the people behind him, saying, "They are all the Khans of their respective tribes, who have come specifically to welcome the Heavenly Khan." "

You Khans have worked hard, let's talk as we walk." "

Huerzasihu kicked his horse aside to make way for Zhang Yang before spurring his horse to follow.

The army in front also spurred their horses to make way for the Heavenly Khan.

From their movements, it was clear that Hua Rong's cavalry had improved their horsemanship considerably, and even more encouragingly, they had become more ferocious. It seemed that the month of blood and fire had taught them the cruelty of the nomadic peoples of the grasslands and made them understand how to protect their homeland.

During the clearing, the Kereit tribe relied entirely on their horsemanship, weaving through gaps. Their lateral movements, though seemingly chaotic, were all very fast. The Heavenly Dynasty cavalry, on the other hand, moved in rows, everything appearing perfectly orderly, not slower than the Kereit tribe.

Coupled with the superior armor of the Heavenly Dynasty cavalry, while they couldn't be said to have a guaranteed advantage against the Kereit tribe, they were at least not at a disadvantage.

Zhang Yang looked at the distant troop movements, nodded in satisfaction, and smiled, "How is the Tatar tribe doing now?" "

Speaking of the Tatar tribe, Hurzashus's fatigue vanished instantly.

The Tatars used to be the largest tribe on the Mongolian steppe, but unexpectedly, with the help of the Celestial Empire's weapons and troops, the Kereit tribe wiped them out in just over ten days. After capturing tens of thousands of slaves and incorporating dozens of smaller tribes, the Kereit tribe had become the largest tribe on the Mongolian steppe. Now the Kereit tribe has a population of nearly 100,000 tents, and the nobles of various tribes, having acquired a large number of slaves and livestock, have all submitted to its banner.

"The Tutuheliwut Tatar, Chahan Tatar, and Alchi Tatar tribes have been wiped out by us, and the Buluhui Tatar has become a vassal tribe of ours. It's a pity that the Quyin Tatar and Tieliet Tatar tribes were swallowed up by the Mongol tribes." "

Hurzashusi spoke calmly, but Zhang Yang knew how bloody it was. The wars of annihilation on the grasslands were brutal; all men above the rank of cartwheel were killed, and women and children were enslaved. Vassal tribes fared no better. They had to pay tribute to the Kereit tribe, perform labor, and serve in the army—slightly better than extermination, as the main tribe weakened, and they might be replaced again. This was how tribes on the grasslands constantly changed hands.

Surrounded by the army, after traveling more than ten miles, two rows of Kereit people appeared ahead. Upon seeing the large group, they all prostrated themselves on the ground.

Although the tribes on the grasslands still lived a nomadic life, each tribe had a royal tent where it was stationed, and the main tribe guarded the royal court, while the subordinate tribes lived in their own pastures. The Kereit tribe's royal tent was in the city of Woldu.

Looking at the endless stream of people stretching to the horizon, Zhang Yang realized it wasn't the population of a small tribe and couldn't help but ask, "What is this?" "

Hurzhashusi respectfully said, "When the Heavenly Khan planned the alliance meeting, I stationed all the Kereit tribe members here. Besides the main Kereit tribe stationed at the royal court, several other Kereit tribes have gathered here."

Actually, Hurzhashusi's actions weren't solely for welcoming Zhang Yang. The Kereit tribe had mobilized almost the entire tribe to annihilate the Tatars. Apart from their main tribe, which had fortified cities, the other tribes were exposed to attacks from other tribes. To prevent their stronghold from being attacked, Hurzhashusi concentrated the other tribes here near the Heavenly Dynasty's border to deter other tribes. Even if attacked, the Heavenly Dynasty's border troops could provide nearby assistance.

The army bypassed the crowd, and Zhang Yang led only a hundred personal guards and the various tribal Khans onto a road crowded with worshippers.

After traveling several miles, they saw a continuous stretch of tents ahead, where dozens of tribal elders and some beautiful young women greeted them.

Seeing the group of elders welcoming them, Zhang Yang quickly led everyone off their horses.

"The twenty-three Kereit tribes respectfully welcome the Son of the Eternal Heaven!" "

At the front of the procession, twenty-three elders simultaneously placed their hands on their shoulders and bowed.

Zhang Yang followed suit

, bowing back with his own hands.

Hurzashusi stepped forward and beckoned to the girls behind.

Dozens of women dressed in colorful brocade robes, their hems adorned with silver bells, began to sing a dismounting wine song. The melody was melodious and cheerful, filled with a warm welcome.

Amidst the beautiful singing, a beautiful girl poured a bowl of fragrant wine from her leather bag, placed it on a hada (a ceremonial scarf), and Hurzashusi accepted it and offered it to Zhang Yang. Zhang Yang

took the bowl, bowed slightly, and first dipped his finger in the wine and sprinkled a few drops towards the blue sky.

Hurzashusi asked in surprise, 'What is this, Heavenly Khan?'

Zhang Yang, however, was following the custom of later Mongolians, offering sacrifices to Heaven first and then to Earth before drinking. Hearing this, he realized they didn't have this custom yet. His mind raced, and he respectfully replied, 'I am acting on the will of the Father God to unify the grasslands.'" "Father God, the Eternal Heaven, is above; naturally, the dismounting wine should first be offered to Father God."

Having said this, he raised the wine bowl again and addressed the elders, saying, "Father God, I bear witness that today I gather with the people of the Kereit tribe in joyous celebration; let us drink from this bowl together!"

Seeing this, the elders followed Zhang Yang's example, first offering wine to the Eternal Heaven before drinking.

Hurzhasi Husi took a white hada (ceremonial scarf) from a young girl and gently placed it on Zhang Yang's neck.

Only after he had placed the hada did Zhang Yang raise his wine bowl to drink with him.

Some Kereit men also stepped forward to take the reins from the horses and arrange their mounts.

Hurzhasi Husi bowed and said, "Please, Khan, go to your tent to change your clothes first." Zhang

Yang nodded and followed him into the tribal settlement. Soon, they came upon a colossal structure, ten times the size of a typical felt tent, covered in snow-white felt.

Large windows flared in all directions from the dome and felt walls, windows similar to those in the Central Plains, but covered not with thick paper, but with a thin, translucent membrane. It appeared to transmit light very well, likely from an animal's shoulder.

Hurzashusi led Zhang Yang to a smaller, more ordinary-looking tent.

Upon entering, two beautiful young women greeted him. Zhang Yang was struck by their faces, which were as delicate and beautiful as those of Central Plains girls, completely lacking the tanned complexion often associated with nomadic people. Although their hair was black, their noses were exceptionally straight, their skin fair, and their eyes a deep, sky-blue—clearly not of Asian descent.

Their appearance reminded Zhang Yang of Europeans, and he turned to Hurzashusi, asking, "Are they from the West?"

Seeing the Emperor's shocked expression, Hu'erzasi Husi couldn't help but show a smug look on his face and said with a smile, "They are my tribespeople, but their mothers are Westerners. They came from the far west with missionaries." Zhang

Yang knew that the Kereit tribe were Christians, and upon hearing this, he sensed some ambiguity in the conversation. However, now was not the time to delve into it, so he nodded and said to the two women in Turkic, "Go and fetch some water. I'll wash up."

Zhang Yang changed his clothes, and the two women fetched river water in a copper basin.

A woman, seeing Zhang Yang approach, actually gave him a flirtatious wink. She

certainly had a seductive streak.

Zhang Yang remarked, scooping up a handful of well water to wash his face.

The river water on the grassland was still a bit chilly, but the coolness on his face instantly soothed him.

A young girl, seeing Zhang Yang finish washing his face, handed him a towel.

While taking the towel, Zhang Yang ran his hand over the girl's, finding it delicate and smooth, completely different from the rough skin of the grassland women. It seemed the Kereit people cherished these two beautiful women, presumably intending to give them away in the future.

The girl sensed Zhang Yang's advances but showed no panic; instead, she looked at him with her large, alluring eyes.

Hu'erzasi Husi, noticing the expressions of the three, thought he had succeeded.

Zhang Yang, however, didn't linger. After wiping his face, he went with Hu'erzasi Husi to the main tent for a feast.

Chapter 142 The Grassland Night Banquet

Entering the main tent, Zhang Yang sat in the central seat, with Hua Rong to his left and Wu Song, Hu Si, and the various tribal Khans and elders seated in two rows on either side.

This was an extremely luxurious golden tent, its perimeter not made of ordinary felt, but of fine woolen cloth, resplendent in gold. The central pillars were wrapped in gold leaf; such decorated tents were also called golden palaces. Inside the tent, several banners hung, some pasted on the walls, others suspended from flagpoles. Besides inscribed with scriptures, these banners also bore the image of wind horses. The wind horses, with their tails raised and hooves pounding, conveyed a sense of grandeur and magnificence.

Wind horse banners have existed since ancient times, symbolizing auspiciousness, prosperity, and flourishing.

The Mongolians, when worshipping Genghis Khan's military emblem, the Sulde, had a prayer that went: "May the whole family receive a newborn, and may all family members be free from illness and suffering, free from disaster and poverty." May the five quadrupedal animals outside be free from misfortune and wildness, free from drought and famine, so that the banners of glory flutter and wave.

The golden tent, with its numerous windows and white felt walls, receives ample light, which reflects off the gold leaf, creating an opulent and magnificent effect.

The soft light shines upon Zhang Yang, further emphasizing his imposing presence.

In the eyes of the various Khans, the Heavenly Khan, seated high on his throne, is like a majestic lead horse, always running at the forefront, no matter how large the herd. Such a figure is destined to astound the world, and now they follow behind him, no longer fearing being trampled underfoot.

Everyone took their seats. Hu'erzhashihusi clapped her hands lightly, and with a series of clear, melodious bell sounds, a group of young girls presented fragrant milk tea and plates of white milk skin and other toppings.

Hu'erzhashihusi picked up the milk tea, stood up, bowed slightly to Zhang Yang, and then sang, "Khan from afar, please have a bowl of coarse milk tea. Although it's not as refined as the tea from the Central Plains, it's still a treasure of my tribe!" "By the

Eternal Heaven above, we are fortunate to gather here today; let's all drink a toast."

Although Zhang Yang was unfamiliar with the customs of the grasslands, he knew that using the name of the Eternal Heaven, even if somewhat impolite, would not be taken offense.

Upon hearing this, everyone stood up, picked up their bowls, and drank it all in one gulp.

Although the Mongolian Plateau does not produce tea, the people of various tribes love to drink it. Milk tea, brewed with brick tea, is an indispensable beverage in the daily lives of Mongolian herders. It has the functions of warming the stomach, quenching thirst, satisfying hunger, and aiding digestion; a little salt is usually added when drinking it. It could be served as a soup to accompany meals or as a treat for guests, but not all guests were fortunate enough to enjoy

it. Zhang Yang usually drank refined milk tea, and this was his first time seeing the original, authentic grassland milk tea. Upon seeing the thick, oily bowl of soup in his hand, infused with the aroma of tea and the pungent smell of milk, his stomach immediately began to churn. However, not wanting to offend everyone, he had no choice but to tilt his head back and gulp it down.

After the milk tea, the girls offered a bowl of fine milk wine.

Several burly men carried in large rectangular wooden platters, on which sat a whole sheep, head and tail intact, resembling a reclining sheep, surrounded by what appeared to be "grass" and "stones." As the food and wine were served, an irresistible aroma filled the tent, rich and enticing, making everyone's mouths water.

The grasslands are vast, and the grassland people's eating habits reflect this environment—rough and hearty. Drinking was done in large copper bowls, and the wine was served in exaggerated cowhide bags. The whole sheep, head and tail intact, served as the main dish. The "grass" and "stones" surrounding the sheep were whole wild onions and large white mushrooms.

Then, the eldest elder of the Kereit tribe was invited to the table. After singing a few lines of unintelligible blessings, the elder approached Zhang Yang's seat. With trembling hands, he picked up a small knife and cut a long strip of meat from the fattest part of the sheep's back, placing it respectfully on a small copper plate and presenting it to Zhang Yang. Zhang Yang rose and took

the plate. Although his stomach churned from the aroma of the meat, he didn't rush to eat. Instead, he gently picked up the short knife stuck in the sheep's back, cut off a piece of meat, and offered it to the elder on the copper plate.

This was the proper way for a young man from the grasslands to reciprocate, expressing both respect for the elder and gratitude to the host.

Zhang Yang's act of respecting the elderly and caring for the young conformed to the customs of the grasslands. The elder, flattered, bowed slightly before returning to his seat.

Hu'erzha clapped his hands again. Two groups of beautifully dressed young women entered. Each carried a bowl of mare's milk wine, which they held high before a guest, singing in unison. The melodious and resonant songs, mingled with the aroma of the wine, were intoxicating.

The one offering Zhang Yang a toast was a mixed-race beauty from his previous tent; the girl smiled radiantly, her eyes clearly revealing a hint of allure.

Zhang Yang took the bowl and drank it all in one gulp.

Seeing Zhang Yang finish it, the girl's eyes showed a hint of amazement. She continued singing her bright, long tune, but her hands moved swiftly, grabbing the nearest leather bag and deftly refilling Zhang Yang's bowl.

Zhang Yang picked up the bowl and drank it all in one go again.

The girl's eyes grew even more astonished,

a deep blue, like a lake in spring.

A third bowl of wine was held before Zhang Yang. He took the copper bowl, once again letting the bottom of the bowl show.

Seeing Zhang Yang's boastful manner, the young woman quickly filled his bowl again, but whispered, "Khan, you can drink slowly. The song hasn't ended, I can't let your bowl be empty!"

Zhang Yang glanced around and saw that everyone else was slowly sipping their wine, except for Wu Song, who, like him, emptied his bowl in one go. The others in the tent were also drinking and secretly watching, clearly aware that they had noticed their actions. Now that

things had come to this, Zhang Yang naturally wouldn't back down. He raised his bowl and drank it all in one gulp, gesturing for the young woman to refill it. Wu Song followed suit, emptying his bowl in one go.

Seeing the Khan's boldness, the young woman became curious. While mare's milk wine wasn't as strong as some of the liquors from the Central Plains, even the most capable drinkers on the grasslands wouldn't dare drink like this. Although the toasting song wasn't long, at the Khan's rate, he would probably have to drink ten bowls to finish it.

The young woman poured wine for Zhang Yang with growing surprise.

Twelve bowls in total, Zhang Yang drank them all when the song ended.

Wu Song drank five or six bowls before slowing down, and finally drank eight more, though he was already swaying.

Unprecedentedly, half of the people in the tent hadn't finished their bowls by the end of the song. They stared in disbelief at the still unwavering Heavenly Khan; they had never seen anyone with such a massive capacity for alcohol.

"Only the Son of the Eternal Heaven possesses such a boundless capacity as the grasslands. The Son of the Eternal Heaven has descended upon the grasslands, and the tribes can finally live in peace. We thank the Eternal Heaven for its blessings."

The elder who had previously boasted about bestowing meat paused for a moment, then stood up, placed his hand on his shoulder, and bowed deeply to the sacred mountain of Bogd Ula.

(Bogd Ula is 922 meters above sea level, an ovoo. In Mongolian, Bogd Ula means sacred mountain. Every year on the 13th day of the fifth lunar month and the 3rd day of the seventh lunar month, herders living on the Hulunbuir Grassland, young and old, gather from all directions at the foot of the sacred mountain for the most solemn and sacred folk pilgrimage and worship activities, praying for the mountain to bless the life on the grassland with prosperity and peace.

Legend has it that the ovoo is the dwelling place and place of worship for shamanic deities. The ovoo deity is regarded as the clan's protector god, and offerings of sheep, wine, and milk are shared during the sacrifices. Afterwards, the grassland people's "Three Skills for Men" competition is held: horse racing, archery, and wrestling.

Seeing that the shaman acknowledged that the Heavenly Khan was the son of the Eternal Heaven, everyone quickly rose and worshipped the sacred mountain.)

Seeing this, Hu'erzha Sihusi breathed a sigh of relief. Although he could acknowledge the Heavenly Emperor as the Heavenly Khan, the title of Son of the Eternal Heaven required the shaman's recognition. With the shaman's recognition, the Heavenly Khan's rule over the various tribes of the grasslands would be legitimate.

Seeing everyone's expressions, Zhang Yang knew his identity as the Son of the Eternal Heaven had been accepted. After everyone finished their worship, he smiled and said, "Everyone, please make yourselves at home." As

soon as Zhang Yang said this, the tent immediately became lively. The various tribal Khans toasted and talked, boasting about how many livestock and women they had captured in recent days. Some of the Khans of the tribes who had joined later could only listen enviously as the Kereit tribe boasted.

The girls who had sung toasting songs also left the tent in batches, while the musicians outside tuned their instruments, playing cheerful and lively tunes. With the tent providing privacy, the music wasn't harsh at all, yet its nuances could be fully appreciated.

Wu Song finally endured until all the dining etiquette was over. At Zhang Yang's command, he quickly devoured half a sheep with his knife and hands, then, burping contentedly, slowed his pace.

Boiled whole sheep is prepared using traditional Mongolian methods: the sheep is slaughtered, its wool removed with boiling water, the chest is opened, the internal organs are removed, it is thoroughly cleaned, the abdominal cavity is marinated with salt and five-spice seasoning, the opening is sewn up, and it is steamed in a large covered pot or a special oven.

Zhang Yang also thoroughly enjoyed this wild game, so different from the refined cuisine of the Central Plains. However, while the mutton from the grasslands tasted excellent, the fat was far thicker than that of sheep raised in the Central Plains; he couldn't eat much before feeling his stomach couldn't hold anything more.

Looking at Wu Song, who was still enjoying his meal, Zhang Yang began to understand why Wu Song possessed such incredible strength.

Chapter 143 Exotic Scenery

Seeing that the Khan had finished his meal, Zha Sihusi rose and said, "Please light the bonfire and join the bonfire party."

Zhang Yang, hearing this, was the first to leave the main tent and head towards the outside of the settlement.

By the starlight, shadowy figures could be seen, circling the woodpile.

When Zhang Yang and his group reached the center, they found a woodpile taller than a person, still smelling of oil, clearly having been used to heat some

wood. The waiting guards, seeing the Khan arrive, handed him torches.

"Boom!"

Just as Zhang Yang placed the torch on the woodpile, a soft sound rang out, and a bright bonfire appeared in the darkness. Soon, bonfires were lit all around.

It was as if a fireball had fallen and shattered, scattering sparks, and quickly the area under the dome was as bright as day.

The musicians who had followed tuned their instruments, changing to a soothing and lingering melody.

To the accompaniment of the melodious and resonant sound of the morin khuur (horsehead fiddle), a group of beautiful Karelian women, each with the delicate charm of a Jiangnan maiden, entered and danced gracefully around the bonfire. Silver bells jingled on their arms and ankles, and every movement captivated countless souls.

The two mixed-race beauties at the head of the group were particularly striking; their dance, accompanied by the music, seemed to possess a magical quality, making it impossible to look away.

Zhang Yang and the others watched the dance, the alcohol in their bellies gradually rising. Their gazes towards the two mixed-race beauties grew increasingly intense; it was clear the two women had undergone meticulous training, every movement utterly alluring.

Combined with the exotic charm of their lineage, they were incredibly seductive.

Their clothing, like that of their later compatriots, was sensual, their arms completely bare. Their snow-white arms and bare legs slowly unfolded to the music, like the petals of a night-blooming cereus slowly opening in the midnight sun.

Hurzashusi watched as the Heavenly Khan gazed intently at the two women, a mixture of joy and disappointment washing over him. He had coveted these two beautiful girls for a long time, but his mother had always refused to give them to him. After giving them to the Heavenly Khan, he dared not entertain any further thoughts. He still remembered the conversation he had had with his mother when she asked for the two girls.

"When you make the Kereit tribe the largest tribe on the steppe, I will send them to your tent."

"The largest tribe on the steppe? That's so difficult. Even my father, with his great courage, couldn't achieve it. How can I?"

"Then I will give them to someone who can make the Kereit tribe the largest tribe on the steppe."

"Will there be such a person? Even if there is, they might wither away by then."

"If not, I would rather they remain pure and beautiful until they fade away. But I believe there will be such a person."

Hurzashusi had originally thought the two women would live out their lives alone. Although the Kereit tribe was one of the five major tribes, it was the smallest, and without decades of accumulation, it would be impossible to become the largest tribe. He never expected that the Heavenly Khan's appearance would make his mother's dream come true. The two women were then led to the Khan's tent.

At the height of the dance, Zhang Yang was pulled up by the two mixed-race beauties and had no choice but to dance along to the rhythm.

The party lasted a full half hour before ending. Everyone then retreated into their tents.

Zhang Yang entered the main tent and immediately embraced and kissed a more mature-looking girl.

Seeing this, the other girl began spreading out the bedding. Just as she finished and stood up, Zhang Yang rolled her onto the bedding, pulling her down as well.

Soon, the two were stripped naked, and Zhang Yang's clothes were quietly removed.

Zhang Yang carefully examined the two women's bodies; their figures largely inherited Western features. Their long, slender legs were rare even in the Central Plains. The elder sister's breasts were as full as those of a well-cared-for Central Plains woman, and the younger sister was far superior to any Central Plains girl.

The elder sister, already aroused by Zhang Yang's caresses, saw him stop and actively clung to him, kissing him.

Zhang Yang didn't hold back, his hands roaming over her delicate body, searching for her erogenous zones.

The girl moaned a few times. Zhang Yang found her erogenous zones, and she immediately began to writhe like a snake, her two jade-like legs unconsciously hooking around Zhang Yang's waist. She pressed her high breasts tightly against his firm chest, her lower body shamelessly rubbing against his hardness.

What a wanton slut! Zhang Yang enjoyed her services while praising her excellent physique.

Soon, the girl felt a hot object beneath her, like a wooden stick, pressing against her buttocks.

Greedy, she gave Zhang Yang a seductive smile, raised a jade-like hand, her five slender fingers like onions, and boldly grasped the head of her penis, inserting it into her lower body.

The garden was too small, but the

man was enormous.

The girl, searching for that legendary, indescribable pleasure, realized she couldn't do it alone and pleaded with Zhang Yang, "Heavenly Khan, please help me!"

Zhang Yang laughed, "You said it yourself."

With a thrust of his hips, the dragon entered her smoothly.

"Ah!"

A scream of agony escaped her lips, tears welling in her eyes as she felt a tearing pain in her body.

"It hurts so much! I'm done! Heavenly Khan, please spare me!"

Only then did she realize that what she had heard and seen before might not be the truth.

The intense pressure almost caused Zhang Yang to ejaculate on the spot, but the pleasure was also intense. How could she back down now? While slowly thrusting, she laughed, "Just hold on a little longer."

Zhang Yang pulled his sister over and pressed her against the woman's breasts, making her suckle to distract her.

The girl groaned a few times, but soon felt waves of pleasure washing over her, and her moans became more joyful.

The Heavenly Khan was right; the girl never imagined that such wonderful pleasure would follow the brief pain. All her fear vanished in an instant, replaced by unprecedented excitement.

After a short while, she was completely lost in desire.

Pushing away his sister who was still struggling on her breasts, he used all the positions he had learned.

In the surging waves, the girl went mad, forgetting everything. She was no longer the girl serving the Heavenly Khan, but a woman seeking pleasure, screaming, writhing, and going wild, until suddenly her whole body trembled, her cries became distorted, and her movements abruptly stopped, yet she remained seated on Zhang Yang, their lower bodies still in intimate contact, but her upper body limp against Zhang Yang's chest, no longer having the strength to move.

Only then did she realize how blissful it was to be a woman.

The girl squinted her alluring eyes, savoring the feeling of ecstasy.

Zhang Yang's lower body continued to throb, bringing her wave after wave of pleasure.

"Heavenly Khan, you're too strong, I'm too beautiful. Oh... I can't take it anymore."

Her younger sister, who had witnessed this live sex show, was already burning with desire. Hearing her sister's feigned innocence, she immediately pushed her away and straddled her herself.

“Since you can’t take it, rest first. I’ll serve the Heavenly Khan.”

Saying this, she sat down like her sister, but her face immediately changed, and she jumped up again.

She had forgotten that her sister had also gone through the pain of deflowering.

Seeing her younger sister’s self-inflicted suffering, the older sister giggled and said, “My sister is still young, let me do it.”

She tried to get up to continue the previous ecstasy, but her body was too weak to get up quickly.

Seeing her sister’s struggle, the younger sister gritted her teeth and sat down again, slowly beginning to move, trembling as she said, “Who said I can’t do it?”

Seeing her miserable state, Zhang Yang grabbed her waist, pulled her down, and kissed her.

After a long kiss, the girl felt the pain lessen slightly, and couldn’t wait to sit up and start moving.

Soon, she tasted the same ecstasy her sister had experienced, and understood why her sister had screamed so wildly earlier.

…

The girl lay on the ground, her snow-white, pert buttocks raised, letting Zhang Yang attack her fiercely from behind, her cries echoing throughout the surrounding area.

Western women's buttocks are more perky than those of Eastern women, and thrusting into them is a unique experience.

"Ah, I can't take it anymore!"

the girl cried out, a gush of nectar flowing from her lower body, and she trembled as she collapsed to the ground. A tender young girl, she couldn't last as long as a mature woman, and having just lost her virginity, her strength was quickly exhausted.

Zhang Yang, however, was at the crucial moment, leaning over her back and continuing his work.

At first, the girl trembled and moaned, but soon fell silent.

Zhang Yang turned her over and found she had fallen asleep, so he turned to her older sister, who had recovered considerably.

Her sister had better stamina, and after resting for a while, she finally managed to extract Zhang Yang's sweet nectar.

Chapter 144: Khabul Khan of the Mongols

. A few days later, the Tatars were attacked by the Kereit tribe and the Celestial Empire. Three tribes were destroyed, and the remaining two fled in panic to the Mongol pastures, preparing to escape north. Under Khabul Khan's command, the Mongol tribe annexed the two tribes at a very low cost.

While the Mongol tribes were immersed in the joy of their harvest, Khabul Khan sighed repeatedly.

He had painstakingly unified the Mongol tribes, and the tribes of the Khentii Mountains and the upper Onon River submitted. Just as he was beginning to harbor greater ambitions, the Heavenly Emperor arrived forcefully from beyond the grasslands, seeking to claim the throne of Heavenly Khan.

Spring had come again, but this spring was a bleak one. He had planned to use the spring blossoms to target a few tribes, strengthen his own forces, or perhaps seize some spoils on the Liao-Jin border, but now all of this was just wishful thinking.

"The Heavenly Emperor is the Son of Eternal Heaven; he can ride divine eagles!"

Every scout returning from the mountain tribes of Western Xia or the Heavenly Emperor said this, as if being able to ride a divine eagle meant being the Son of Eternal Heaven. These nomadic tribes didn't consider those feathered beasts sacred. But after the word spread, the ordinary herders in the tribes began to believe it to some extent.

Without the support of the ordinary herders, the nobles could do nothing. Moreover, the Kereit tribe had already submitted to the Celestial Empire and received a large amount of ironware bestowed upon them by the Empire. Although that ironware wasn't considered high-quality in the Central Plains, it was enough to change the power dynamics among the tribes on the grasslands. The once dominant Tatar tribe was wiped out in just over ten days under their attack. Although ten thousand Celestial Empire troops participated in the war, they didn't engage in direct combat; they merely played a supporting role, chasing down fleeing soldiers. They were like horses, but Khabul knew that the Celestial Empire was training its troops, and it wouldn't be long before a true Celestial Empire Han Chinese cavalry would be born.

The Kereit tribe, having swallowed up most of the Tatar tribe, had now become the largest tribe on the grasslands. With the addition of Celestial Empire weapons, it was likely that even the other three tribes combined might not be able to defeat the Kereit tribe. Furthermore, their in-law tribe, the Naiman tribe, would certainly stand with the Kereit tribe.

With tens of thousands of people and millions of livestock to be divided among the six Kereit tribes, there were probably few tribes on the grasslands that wouldn't be tempted. Even among the Mongol tribes, many hoped to submit to the Celestial Empire, allowing the Heavenly Khan to unify the grasslands so they could then ride forth and plunder the Liao and Jin dynasties.

As Khabul was deep in thought, Khutula lifted the curtain and entered, saying, "Father Khan, the armies of the Celestial Empire, the Kereit tribe, and the Naiman tribe are already thirty li away."

Khutula was Khabul's third son. Although only eighteen, he already possessed a towering physique. His voice was booming, like thunder in the mountains, and even more remarkably, his strength was astonishing; few in the tribe dared to challenge him in combat.

What Khabul admired most was Khutula's naturally rough skin and unwavering character.

One winter night, he slept naked beside a burning giant log, feeling no sparks or embers fall on him. Upon waking, he mistook the burns for insect stings and didn't cry out in pain. In

the refined Central Plains, such behavior would likely have led people to call Khutula a monster oblivious to the cold. But on the grasslands, this was the strongest warrior.

"Gather the troops. Follow me to meet them."

Khabul stood up, picked up his bow and arrows, and headed outside. The steppe people wouldn't easily put down their bows and arrows; no one knew where the jackals were hiding.

"Father Khan, wait here a moment, I'll go meet them," Khutula said in a rough voice. Khabul

shook his head, "This time, all the Khans will come in person. We can't be disrespectful, and besides, the Emperor of the Celestial Dynasty is someone we can't afford to offend." Khutula

scratched his head in confusion, "What about the Emperor of the Celestial Dynasty? Even Yelü Abaoji (Emperor Taizu of Liao) didn't dare to venture deep into the steppes back then. Even if we mistreated him, he wouldn't dare bring his troops into the steppes, would he? Didn't Father Khan also say that all the tribes of the steppes are fierce tigers? Only if we charge outwards can no one else get in."

Khabul patiently explained, “Yes, before, the various tribes of the grasslands didn’t have iron weapons, but no one could invade the grasslands. But now, the Celestial Empire has the Kereit tribe leading the way. The wolf packs of the grasslands have split into two groups, and with them leading the way, we can’t hide.”

“Then let’s just eliminate the Kereit tribe as well. It just so happens that the Kereit Khan and the Emperor of the Celestial Empire have come this time. As long as we eliminate them, our Mongol tribe can become the largest tribe on the grasslands.”

“The Naiman tribe came with them. If you want to eliminate them, what about the Naiman tribe?”

“If it doesn’t work, we’ll eliminate them all at once, and then we’ll have one less opponent in the future.”

"The Kereit tribe has brought 10,000 men, the Naiman tribe has 10,000, and the Celestial Empire has 3,000. Even without counting the few thousand soldiers from other smaller tribes, these 23,000 troops are undoubtedly the elite of the three tribes. Can you capture them?"

Hutula scratched his head and shook it, saying, "Victory is certain, but we may not be able to capture the Celestial Empire's emperor and the two Khans. However, it's worth a try."

Khabul shook

the tent, seeing that Hutula still looked puzzled, and asked again, "If it's them, and the Kereit and Naiman tribes have over 100,000 troops attacking, can we stop them? And then there's the Celestial Empire. Once the emperor dies at our hands, I'm afraid the entire nation's army will come for revenge. The Celestial Empire has tens of millions of people; how can we resist them?"

"If we kill them, they will be leaderless. They might even start fighting amongst themselves first. Why would they attack us as a whole tribe?"

—This

was also what Khabul was worried about him. He was brave, but lacked long-term strategy. Perhaps only after sufficient experience could he be entrusted with great responsibilities.

"Whoever wants to be Khan or Emperor, they must first avenge themselves on us to gain the respect of the people. Even if they might fight amongst themselves, we cannot risk it if there is any possibility of an attack. A mishap could lead to the extermination of the entire tribe. A qualified Khan should not gamble with the life and death of his entire clan. Study hard; being Khan is not easy."

Khutula bowed his head in receptiveness before blowing the horn to summon the tribe's troops.

"Woo-woo-woo,"

as Khabul rode his horse to the edge of the encirclement, tens of thousands of soldiers had already gathered behind him.

"My Mongol tribe is hospitable. All of you, brace yourselves and follow me to welcome the heroes from afar."

With that, he spurred his horse and galloped ahead.

Tens of thousands of Mongol cavalrymen roared across the grassland like the wind.

Although it was late April, the grassland was still covered with last year's withered grass, the green of spring completely obscured by them.

However, Khabul knew that in a few days, new pasture would grow wildly. If a gentle rain falls, the grasslands will be covered in green overnight. Flowers will burst into bloom, one after another, like a bustling market; and leaves, once they sprout, will soon be laden with branches, spreading out to form a green sea.

The warriors of the grasslands are the same; given time, they can form a force that can shake the world. Unfortunately, the Eternal Heaven did not grant them that time.

...

"Report! Tens of thousands of Mongol troops are approaching!"

"Kerait warriors, follow me! Let the Mongols know that we, the Kereit, are the true number one tribe on the grasslands!"

Hurzashihu felt the ground tremble, knowing that the Mongols were already within ten miles. At the speed of a cavalry charge, ten miles was nothing. He thought the Mongols were just hastily coming to meet them, but he didn't expect them to be so ruthless as to prepare an attack. Passive defense cannot stop the charging cavalry; the only option is to charge in the opposite direction.

Menglu Khan of the Naiman tribe waved his hand and said, "Buyiluhei Khan, wait a moment. Khabul is intelligent and steady; he won't act rashly. Let's send someone forward to inform him first. If he continues to approach, it won't be too late to attack. What does the Heavenly Khan think?"

Menglu Khan of the Naiman tribe was the father-in-law of Hurzhasihusi. Before Hurzhasihusi had completely controlled the Kereit tribe, he married his daughter to him and had given him much support. Afterward, he always stood with the Kereit tribe. Seeing the rise of the Heavenly Dynasty's power and the great benefits the Kereit tribe would receive after submitting, he agreed to support Zhang Yang as the Heavenly Khan.

Hurzashihusi then remembered that there was someone even more distinguished than himself beside him. He reined in his horse and turned to Zhang Yang, saying, "Hurzashihusi was reckless. I wonder what the Heavenly Khan thinks. If the Mongol tribes continue to advance, and if they harbor ill intentions, even though we have sharp armor, a hasty response would likely result in heavy casualties."

Zhang Yang replied without hesitation, "Order the Mongol tribes to cease their attack, or we will attack them."

Seeing the Heavenly Khan's order, Hurzashihusi had no choice but to send one of his men to relay the message.

Soon, the messenger charged towards the Mongol army. Seeing the dark mass of troops rushing towards them, his expression remained unchanged. Upon reaching them, he roared, "The Heavenly Khan has ordered the Mongol tribes to cease their attack, or the other tribes will begin their attack!"

Khabul had intended to intimidate the other tribes; if they lost their composure and charged, they could then rein in their horses and retreat, thus gaining the upper hand in terms of morale. Seeing that each tribe had actually sent messengers to deliver orders, they had no choice but to halt their army and come to greet the crowd.

Chapter 145 The Three Skills of the Grasslands

We came a little too hastily and couldn't rein in our horses for a moment. Please forgive us, Khans. "Several hundred soldiers slowly approached, and before they even arrived, their deep voices carried on the wind.

Hurzhashusi, young and arrogant, with his wings newly grown, looked down on Khabul, who was quite famous on the grasslands

, and mocked, "Khabul Khan is indeed a bit too hasty. In a few more miles, the horses' hooves will be trampling on us. The warriors of the Mongol tribe are indeed good riders." Seeing his sarcastic tone, Khutula was about to spur his horse forward to teach him a lesson.

Knowing his son's temperament well, Khabul glared at him and then spoke to Hurzhashusi in the tone of an elder, "What Buyiluhe Khan said is true, but we grassland men are straightforward and generous, and we shouldn't speak like that." "

Although Hurzhas Hurzhas wanted to retort, he was only in his early twenties, while Khabul was over forty. He had no right to tell the other how to behave, and his face immediately turned red.

Seeing this, Zhang Yang laughed and said, "The two Khans have already started chatting upon meeting. There are still many people waiting. Shouldn't we all return to the camp first and continue our conversation?" Khabul seemed

to only then remember the Emperor of the Celestial Empire. Following the customs of the Central Plains in his memory, he cupped his hands and said, "The Emperor of the Celestial Empire is right. Everyone, please return to the camp first. My Mongol tribe has already prepared camps for each tribe. Please come in."

Zhang Yang then rode his horse towards the camp.

A few days later, the Khan of the Merkit tribe also arrived with his troops, and a banquet was naturally held that night.

When the wine was half-drunk, Menglu Khan of the Naiman tribe said, "Now that all four tribes have arrived, I think we can set a time for the Kurultai (assembly of the four tribes)." "After saying that, he glanced at Zhang Yang casually.

Zhang Yang smiled and nodded, knowing that he was trying to curry favor. Hurzhasi Husi was brave, good at charging into battle, but not so useful when discussing important matters. It was more reliable to have an experienced and shrewd person like him; he knew what to do without you having to say anything.

Hurzhasi Husi then remembered his responsibilities and chimed in, "The tribes from the upper plateau of the grasslands have all arrived, and the Khuriltai assembly can begin. I think tomorrow is fine, otherwise, if it goes on too long, the Mongol tribe will be eaten out of poverty by us."

Although his words were rough, they were true. The main food of the various tribes on the grasslands was still meat and dairy products. Since the various tribes had come from afar, they naturally couldn't bring a whole herd of livestock, so they only brought some dairy products, and the meat had to be provided by the Mongol tribe. Moreover, the grassland people were always hospitable, and the Mongol tribe couldn't be too stingy, or they would be ridiculed by the other tribes. If the other tribes stayed for a few more days, the Mongol tribe would lose tens of thousands of livestock.

As Khabul's most beloved son, Khutula also attended, serving as Khabul's personal bodyguard. He knew that the tribal nobles were not willing to share this extra expense. Hearing that the two were going to hold a Kurultai (assembly), he nodded vigorously to signal his father's agreement.

However, Khabul was not swayed by his suggestion and shook his head, saying, "Buyruk Khan is joking. Although the Mongol tribe is not as prosperous as the Kereit tribe, it can still afford to support the various tribes. Moreover, it is not easy for the Khans of all the tribes to gather together, so we should all get closer. According to custom, a men's three skills competition is held on the steppe whenever there is a major event. Why don't we hold the competition first and wait for the Khans of the various tribes who have not yet arrived? What do you think?"

Several Khans of small tribes affiliated with the Mongol tribe also chimed in, "The rules of the steppe cannot be broken. The competition must be held. The tribes in the east..." "They haven't arrived yet, so we can wait for them while we hold the competition."

Zhang Yang, hearing them mention the customs of the grasslands, said, "Since Khan Khabul Khan is so keen on holding this competition, we should follow his lead. But I wonder if we can participate?"

Seeing that Zhang Yang had taken the bait, Khan Khabul Khan laughed, "Of course! I've heard that all the tribes of the grasslands call the Heavenly Emperor the Son of the Eternal Heaven. I imagine your three grassland skills are also extraordinary; it would be a good opportunity for the tribes to broaden their horizons."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yang knew what he was up to. It turned out that he wanted to use the competition to deny that he was the Son of the Eternal Heaven. The Kereit and Naiman tribes had already acknowledged that they were the Son of the Eternal Heaven, honoring themselves as the Heavenly Khan. The grassland tribes had also sent envoys to pay their respects, acknowledging that they had occupied most of the Mongolian Plateau. However, the grassland tribes had always looked down on the forest tribes, and the Mongol and Naiman tribes, two of the four major grassland tribes, had not yet expressed their opinions. Many smaller grassland tribes were also wavering.

If they could defeat Zhang Yang now, the rumors about the Son of the Eternal Heaven would be dispelled. When the Mongol and Merkit tribes join forces, they will surely attract many small tribes to follow, since no one wants a Central Plains person to rule the grasslands.

"Alright, then let's hold a three-day competition first, followed by a Kurultai (meeting of warriors) three days later."

Khabul nodded in agreement, "Let's follow the Emperor's suggestion and see which tribe's warriors can win. All tribes can participate, but the number of participants is limited

. To ensure fairness, regardless of the size of the tribe, each tribe will only send three people for each event."

Khabul thought he had succeeded, but little did he know that it suited Zhang Yang's wishes perfectly. Zhang Yang was looking for another opportunity to intimidate the various tribes, and what better time than this grassland competition?

Archery and wrestling were unparalleled in the world. With the Jade Lion of the Night as their steeds, horse racing was a piece of cake.

Thus, a competition with a predetermined outcome was decided.

The first day's event was wrestling, and that evening, Khabul sent people to deliver wrestling uniforms to the main tents of each tribe.

Hu'erzha Si Husi personally explained the characteristics and significance of the wrestling uniform to Zhang Yang.

"The wrestling uniform for competition consists of four parts: a vest, trousers, overcoats, and a colorful silk belt. The vest exposes the chest, the trousers are wide, and the overcoats are richly patterned, featuring cloud patterns, plant patterns, and longevity patterns. Unlike the delicate patterns of the Central Plains, the patterns on the wrestling uniform are bold and powerful, with strong color contrasts. The undercoats are large, specially made from a single piece of cloth. This is very conducive to heat dissipation, preventing sweat from sticking to the body; it also adapts to the characteristics of wrestling, making it difficult for opponents to use leg-binding techniques. The overcoats are made of tough and sturdy velvet. The knees are decorated with patterns sewn together from pieces of fabric in various colors, representing good fortune and auspiciousness."

The various parts of the uniform are cleverly matched, forming a unified whole, and possessing a brave and martial national character.

"Hmm, this wrestling outfit is quite distinctive. Tell me about the rules of wrestling?"

"Wrestling on the grasslands is a one-hit wonder; the winner advances to the next round, and the loser is eliminated. There are many wrestling techniques; over a hundred moves can be derived from thirteen basic techniques such as grabbing, pulling, tugging, pushing, and pressing."

—

Zhang Yang had never practiced wrestling and didn't understand what those moves referred to, but his enhanced strength was not something ordinary people could withstand. He smiled and said, "It's getting late; go back and select your tribe's warriors."

Hu'erzhashusi didn't want to lose to other tribes, so upon hearing this, she went out to prepare for her tribe's competition.

After they left, Wu Song asked, "I wonder who Your Majesty plans to send to the competition?"

Zhang Yang thought for a moment and said, "I'll participate alone."

"Can't each tribe send three people? Your Majesty alone might be outnumbered. Why not count me in? I may not have much else, but my strength is unmatched."

Zhang Yang shook his head and said, "Can you beat Jiao Ting in wrestling?"

"Jiao Ting is a master wrestler. If it comes to wrestling, I admit I'm no match."

"Well, wrestling is a skill. Even those with great strength might not be able to wrestle a grassland man. We can still select some people for archery and horseback riding, but you don't have much of a chance in wrestling. I've already made a plan. Tomorrow, I'll take on all the tribes' contestants by myself."

Wu Song knew that his strength was like a firefly compared to the Emperor's. Jiao Ting could move him, but he could never move the Emperor. Thinking of the scene tomorrow where the Emperor alone would wrestle all the tribes' people to the ground, a smile involuntarily appeared on his face.

"Yo-ho!"

"Yo-ho!"

"Yo-ho!"

Early in the morning, the rough and unrestrained sounds echoed across the plains, and the people from nearby areas rushed to witness the biggest event on the grasslands.

After a simple ceremony, Khabul, as the host, said, "The rules remain the same as before: two people compete in pairs, and the winners compete again until a first place is determined. There are a total of one hundred and sixty-two people in this competition, and for the first time, they will be divided into eighty-one pairs."

"Wait a minute,"

Khabul was interrupted by someone. Looking up, he saw it was the Emperor of the Celestial Dynasty and smiled, "I wonder what brilliant idea the Emperor of the Celestial Dynasty has?"

"That kind of competition is too slow; it probably won't be finished in a day. As the Son of the Eternal Heaven, I naturally cannot compete according to the usual methods. Warriors from all tribes, come at me! I'll take on this one by myself."

Khabul secretly felt smug when he heard that the Khan of the Celestial Dynasty would be participating alone. The people of the Central Plains were good at reading and writing, but wrestling, horseback riding, and archery were their weaknesses. They were forced to participate, probably to avoid losing face, since even if three of them came, they would all be wrestled to the ground.

Unexpectedly, the Emperor of the Celestial Empire uttered such insane words. Those around him were also taken aback by Zhang Yang's madness, but after the initial shock came anger.

Contempt—this was blatant contempt for the grassland people.

Chapter 146: Perfect Shock,

He'll Be Fell to His Death.

"Stand firm, don't get blown over by the wind."

"A stick-thin frame trying to wrestle? Don't get thrown back to the Central Plains." Zhang

Yang's words immediately stirred up a hornet's nest. The surrounding grassland men either roared angrily or sneered, seemingly forgetting Zhang Yang's identity. Even some from the Kereit and Naiman tribes, who had already submitted to the Celestial Dynasty, spoke out in condemnation.

To the grassland people, the Celestial Emperor's words were nothing short of blatant contempt. The grassland people were known for their fierceness, and each tribe had countless warriors, but no one had ever dared to challenge more than five people together. If the Celestial Emperor won, no one would dare doubt his identity as the Son of the Eternal Heaven. But if he lost, not only would his identity be disbelieved, but it would also provoke the anger of the various tribes. The grassland people could not accept the rule of someone who despised them.

Apart from the Celestial Dynasty sending only one person, each tribe had sent their best wrestlers. Although many tribes had not yet arrived, there were still nearly two hundred people from more than sixty tribes.

Even if they all rushed at him together, they could crush the Celestial Emperor. Apart from the Celestial Dynasty's troops, no one believed he could win. Even Hurzashus secretly resented the Celestial Emperor's arrogance.

Looking at the excited crowd, Khabul said to Zhang Yang, "Emperor of the Celestial Empire, please reconsider. There are nearly two hundred participants from various tribes."

Zhang Yang waved his hand and said, "My mind is made up. Khabul Khan, declare the start."

He then walked towards the open space in the center.

Khabul shook his head and said helplessly, "Emperor of the Celestial Empire is a guest from afar. Since he wants the competition to proceed this way, we shall do as he wishes. However, the participating warriors must hold back; it would be bad if anyone were injured. To avoid casualties, this competition will be decided by a single wrestling match. As long as one part of the body touches the ground, the winner is defeated. Now, let the competition begin."

At this time, freestyle wrestling was still popular on the Mongolian steppe. This type of wrestling allowed wrestling even while lying down, with the winner being the one whose opponent's shoulders touched the ground. To achieve this, participants could use various means to subdue their opponents, so injuries and even deaths were common.

Khabul's change of rules, while seemingly for Zhang Yang's benefit, actually further reduced Zhang Yang's chances of winning. After all, there were nearly two hundred contestants from each division. If several of them attacked together, they could easily knock him down with a single collision. If Zhang Yang were to fall, he would lose. According to the previous rules, Zhang Yang could still fight back even if he fell.

As for the talk of holding back, that was just polite talk. At this moment, the warriors from each division were all looking to teach Zhang Yang a lesson. Without severe punishment, who would listen to such lukewarm words?

Sure enough, as soon as the words were spoken, the warriors from each division surrounded Zhang Yang. Several impatient ones even leaped out, arms outstretched, pouncing on Zhang Yang like eagles spreading their wings.

"Catch!"

The first burly man reached the edge, opening his massive hand. Like an eagle grabbing a chick, he was about to grab Zhang Yang's shoulder when he heard a loud shout. Before he could even react to what the shout meant, he felt his wrist tighten, and his body was already airborne, flung towards the jumping contestants on the outer edge.

Those behind were stunned to see Zhang Yang casually toss the nearly 200-pound man several meters away. How much strength did that take? Was he just having the people outside catch him?

Zhang Yang didn't give them time to think. He rushed forward, tossing and flinging, and in a few swift movements, he had thrown the men rushing towards him onto the leaping, pouncing crowd on the outside.

"Ouch!"

"Ouch!"

A flurry of tumbles ensued, but those wrestling on the periphery managed to catch those thrown out of the circle.

"Long live the Emperor!"

"Long live the Emperor!"

"Long live the Emperor!"

...

The Heavenly Dynasty's troops, seeing the Emperor's power, erupted in cheers as he caused chaos among the various tribes of the grasslands in a single exchange.

The people of the grasslands, witnessing the Heavenly Emperor's might, also cheered.

"Hmm, his strength is no less than that of Khutula. No wonder he dares to be so arrogant."

Khabul, watching Zhang Yang's swift and agile movements, couldn't help but marvel.

Several respected elders stepped forward at the opportune moment, eliminating those who had fallen.

Within moments, over fifty were eliminated. The remaining men became cautious, merely forming a circle around the perimeter, leaping and searching for an opening.

Zhang Yang stood quietly, coldly observing those before him, exuding an air of arrogance.

Those facing Zhang Yang, meeting his cold gaze, could only leap about, wary of a sudden attack.

Those behind Zhang Yang, seeing an opportunity, exchanged glances and stealthily pounced on him, a flicker of joy crossing their faces. But then, as if seeing eyes behind his ears, Zhang Yang abruptly turned, his arms flashing, sending them soaring back into the crowd.

Zhang Yang, hands behind his back, stood motionless once more, as if he had never moved.

Still as a virgin, swift as a rabbit. This was the pinnacle of Central Plains martial arts. The wrestling techniques on the grasslands are entirely different, emphasizing constant jumping to prevent the opponent from catching you. They couldn't understand Zhang Yang's style

and naturally considered it ignorance and amateurish.

This time, the wrestlers from various tribes were much smarter; only a dozen or so who couldn't dodge in time were knocked to the ground, and no one went to catch them.

Including those thrown out, nearly twenty more were eliminated in the second round.

In just two rounds, the number was reduced by almost half, and the encirclement thinned by two rings, but it expanded considerably to prevent Zhang Yang from using people as punching bags to attack those outside.

Everyone became more cautious; no one wanted to go out and be a punching bag, hoping to gain an advantage after others had expended some effort.

—

"Khutula of the Mongol tribe is here."

After waiting for a while and seeing no one step forward, Khutula impatiently roared and leaped into the arena.

"Bang!"

"Bang!"

Each of Khutula's leaps landed with a dull thud, demonstrating his astonishing strength.

The surrounding Mongol herders, seeing Khutula enter the arena, all looked at Zhang Yang, hoping to see his wary expression. Khabul Khan also looked towards the arena with hopeful eyes.

However, to their disappointment, Zhang Yang remained unmoved, his body motionless, coldly watching the leaping Hutula. The leaping Hutula looked like a clown.

Hutula, enraged at not receiving the attention he deserved, took a few large strides and reached Zhang Yang, reaching out to grab Zhang Yang's shoulders, intending to test his strength.

But before his hands could land, he felt a tightening on his wrists, a powerful force coming his way. Remembering the fate of those before him, he quickly lowered his waist and hips, trying to steady himself. However, his struggles were futile; his body continued to fly backward.

"Ah!"

Hutula had often thrown others before, but he never imagined he would be thrown himself, and he let out a scream.

Zhang Yang seemed unwilling to waste any more time, leaping up like a ghost, following Hutula backward. As soon as

those behind dodged the incoming hurled chariots, Zhang Yang pounced, throwing people around.

Anyone still standing was caught in his grasp and toss, those who lunged at him were pulled and tossed further away.

In the blink of an eye, only Zhang Yang remained standing, the ground filled with groans.

The Mongol herders were stunned by Zhang Yang's ghostly movements, only snapping back to reality when the Heavenly Dynasty's troops cheered.

"Truly the Son of the Eternal Heaven! His abilities are beyond the reach of mortals!"

"The Eternal Heaven has manifested!"

The people of the grassland tribes exclaimed in surprise, while the forest tribes were even more direct, prostrating themselves in worship. This behavior seemed contagious, and soon waves of people from various tribes were also on the ground.

Khabul still stared in disbelief at the godlike Zhang Yang, but was finally pulled to the ground by the tribal shaman.

Zhang Yang looked with satisfaction at the various tribes prostrate on the ground, then proclaimed loudly, "Children of the Eternal Heaven, rise!"

When the people rose, they were filled with awe and reverence for Zhang Yang.

The next day, in the horse race, Zhang Yang easily won with his Jade Lion, though he didn't display any extraordinary skill.

The following evening, an uninvited group arrived at the Onon River; the Jin people, along with several eastern tribes, had come to attend the Khuriltai assembly, but all the steppe tribes had already bowed down to Zhang Yang.

The archery competition on the third day allowed Zhang Yang to once again display his prowess, shocking the steppe, and the Jin envoys no longer harbored any further thoughts.

The Mongolian grassland archery competition is divided into three types: stationary archery, mounted archery, and long-range archery. In stationary archery, the archer stands on the ground and releases an arrow at the target after the referee gives the signal; the best shot wins. In mounted archery, the archer is mounted on horseback and releases an arrow while the horse is running; the best shot wins. Participants can bring their own horses and bows and arrows; there are no restrictions on the type of bow, the draw weight of the bow, or the length and weight of the arrows. The rules of the competition are three rounds and nine arrows, meaning each person can only shoot three arrows per round, and the top three are determined by the number of arrows hitting the target. Everyone performed at an extraordinary level. In

both stationary and mounted archery, Zhang Yang's three arrows hit the target as soon as the referee gave the signal. In long-range archery, Zhang Yang used a reinforced divine crossbow to break the record on the grassland, with his farthest arrow hitting the target at over 500 paces.

Chapter 147: The Jin Kingdom Envoy

. In the Three Skills Competition, Zhang Yang's abnormal skills shocked the grassland. A grand banquet was held to celebrate the successful conclusion of the competition and to celebrate the arrival of the Son of Eternal Heaven.

The two mixed-race beauties hadn't expected that the person they served was actually the true Son of Heaven. As evening approached, they specially changed into gowns modeled after those made in their mother's country, preparing to surprise the Son of Heaven.

When Zhang Yang returned to the main tent, his eyes indeed lit up.

The two women wore gauze gowns, not unlike Western gowns of later times. However, their mother was from the romantic nation of France, and their gowns were the revealing styles popular in France at the time.

The gowns, however, had clearly been adapted to Chinese tastes; the chests weren't completely bare, but rather covered by a layer of almost transparent silk.

Their full, firm breasts swayed gently with their movements.

Their long, black hair was loose, their faces lightly powdered, and their large, alluring eyes exuded a captivating charm. Their delicate noses, sensual red lips, and smooth jawlines were all irresistible.

Zhang Yang embraced the more mature beauty, kissing her passionately while his hands roamed over her body.

Before long, the mixed-race beauty was completely aroused by Zhang Yang, and her nipples gradually swelled and became firm.

"Ah... God... Khan... I can't take it anymore... I can't take it anymore..."

Under Zhang Yang's teasing, the beauty was already burning with desire, murmuring.

Just as Zhang Yang was about to take her right there, he heard footsteps approaching from outside the tent, so he had to release the beauty.

"Don't stop. Take me."

Seeing that Zhang Yang had stopped, the beauty, without waiting for Zhang Yang to explain, wrapped herself around him like a snake, teasingly saying.

Western women are always so direct and bold about sex.

Zhang Yang pinched the beauty's buttocks hard, then pushed her away, saying, "Take care of yourself, someone's coming."

"Yes."

Hearing that someone had arrived, the mixed-race beauty reluctantly began to tidy up her clothes, which had been messed up by Zhang Yang's kneading.

Zhang Yang suddenly remembered that the two of them were wearing revealing outfits. Not wanting his women to be exposed, he quickly waved his hand and said, "Go behind the screen. Don't come out without my permission."

Although the two didn't know why Zhang Yang wanted them to leave, they tactfully hid behind the screen.

"The Jin envoys Yelü Yudu and Wuqimai request an audience,"

a guard outside the tent reported as the two women moved.

It turned out that Emperor Aguda of the Jin Dynasty had learned that the Heavenly Emperor was holding a meeting with the various tribes of the grasslands at the Onon River, preparing to unify the grasslands. He then ordered Yelü Yudu and Wuqimai to buy a large amount of wealth and, along with several tribes that had already submitted to the Jin Dynasty, to come and obstruct them.

The Jin Dynasty had a thousand elite cavalrymen, plus five thousand troops from the affiliated Hongjila tribes, making them a powerful force among the tribes attending the meeting. The Jin delegation visited the Mongol and Merkit tribes upon arrival, their intentions self-evident.

However, they hadn't expected Zhang Yang to behave so impressively, and their attempt to break off relations became futile.

Seeing that the unification of the grasslands by the Celestial Empire was unstoppable, Yelü Yudu and Wu Qimai, who were leading the group, rushed over to pledge their loyalty.

Zhang Yang waited until the two entered behind the curtain before shouting, "Bring in Yelü Yudu and Wu Qimai!"

There was a moment of hesitation outside. Yelü Yudu and Wu Qimai then entered.

Both were very imposing, but Yelü Yudu was more refined, while Wu Qimai looked like a savage. He resembled an uncivilized savage. Having likely become accustomed to the icy landscapes of Northeast China, and with the weather getting warmer, he wore only a thin piece of cloth wrapped diagonally around his upper body, as if it had just been stolen.

His bald forehead and the braid at the back of his head further displeased Zhang Yang.

Yelü Yudu was originally a member of the Liao imperial family and possessed considerable talent. His wife was the younger sister of Consort Wen of Emperor Tianzuo of Liao, Yelü Yanxi. Among Yelü Yanxi's sons... Prince Jin, born to Consort Wen, was the most virtuous and highly respected in the court and among the people, and was also the most likely to inherit the throne.

Consort Tianzuo, the younger sister of Xiao Fengxian, a powerful minister of the Liao Dynasty, had a son, Prince Qin, but compared to Prince Jin, he was utterly incompetent. Xiao Fengxian, fearing that Prince Qin would not become crown prince, falsely accused Yelü Yudu of colluding with another minister, Xiao, to install Prince Jin as heir. Yelü Yanxi, believing the slander, executed Xiao, ordered the death of Consort Wen, and sent men to arrest Yelü Yudu, who was suppressing the Jin army at the border.

Upon hearing the news, Yelü Yudu led his troops to defect to the Jurchens. He later became the vanguard of the Jin Dynasty's attack on the Liao Dynasty.

However, although Yelü Yudu surrendered to the Jin, he always harbored feelings for his homeland and later wanted to raise an army against the Jin, but was betrayed by his subordinates and had to seek refuge with the Western Xia. The Western Xia, of course, would not accept him, a lone individual seeking refuge. He then tried to defect to the Tatars but was killed.

Wuqimai was the younger brother of Wanyan Aguda, the founding emperor of the Jin Dynasty, and

the second emperor of the dynasty. Even though he destroyed the Northern Song Dynasty, captured its two emperors, and brought heavy disaster, he also cast a thousand-year shadow of shame on the Han people.

Zhang Yang coldly sized up the two men before him and asked, "What brings you here?"

Yelü Yudu bowed and said, "This foreign subject has come on behalf of our emperor to congratulate the Celestial Emperor on this great achievement."

Although Wu Qimai was now a high-ranking minister of the Jin Dynasty, just a few years ago he was a semi-wild man who hunted birds and rabbits in the deep mountains. He did not understand Chinese and had originally brought a translator, but Zhang Yang only allowed the two of them to enter. Seeing that Zhang Yang and Wu Qimai were communicating in Chinese, Wu Qimai could only stare blankly at the two men.

Zhang Yang sneered, "I'm afraid that's not the case. I heard that you visited the Mongol and Merkit tribes last night, trying to obstruct my unification of the grasslands."

Yelü Yudu hadn't expected the Celestial Emperor to be so ruthless, and a bead of cold sweat appeared on his forehead. He stammered, "Your Majesty misunderstands. We were merely paying our respects to the various tribes as a matter of courtesy."

"Oh? Then what's the use of those dozen carts of wealth you brought? This grassland is not peaceful."

"Th-th-th-that is tribute to the Celestial Dynasty."

Yelü Yudu panicked under Zhang Yang's questioning, and finally managed to come up with a reason, which he blurted out.

"Oh? It's not a festival or holiday, why is the Jin Kingdom offering tribute to me? Does it mean they want to submit to our country?"

Wu Qimai looked at the two of them with suspicion, seeing Yelü Yudu's flustered appearance. Zhang Yang ignored him, only staring coldly at Yelü Yudu.

In the past, although the Jin Kingdom feared the strength of the Celestial Dynasty, it did not border the Celestial Dynasty and was not worried about the Celestial Dynasty attacking them, so naturally they were unwilling to find a master for themselves. Now that the Celestial Empire has unified the grasslands, it has many borders with the Jin Dynasty. Before unification, the various grassland tribes frequently invaded the Liao and Jin, which they were unable to subdue. Now that the grasslands are unified and equipped with the Celestial Empire's weapons,

Yelü Yudu, having dealt with the grassland tribes during his time in the Liao Dynasty, is well aware of their bravery. Yelü Yudu believes that with just a single order from the Celestial Empire's emperor, the seemingly invincible Liao and Jin would crumble under the onslaught of the grassland cavalry.

The best course of action now is to submit to the Celestial Empire, which might be the only way to avoid disaster. However, when he came, the Jin emperor Aguda did not grant him this authority, but only ordered him to stop the Celestial Empire's emperor from unifying the grasslands at all costs.

The only person in the delegation with the authority to make this decision was Wu Qimai. Yelü Yudu glanced at Wu Qimai, only to see his face full of confusion and doubt, knowing he couldn't help him.

"Does the Jin envoy have some unspeakable difficulty?"

Zhang Yang pressed, not giving him time to think.

"No, it's just ordinary tribute,"

Yelü Yudu replied helplessly.

"Oh? It's May now, which means that every May, the Jin Kingdom sends tribute like this. Then go back and inform the Jin emperor that I've noted it down, and tell him not to miss the deadline."

Yelü Yudu hadn't expected his casual remark to be taken seriously by the Celestial Emperor. That was a significant portion of the wealth plundered by the Jin Kingdom since its founding. If the Jin emperor knew he had set such a high tribute target, he wondered if he would kill him in a fit of anger. Even if he wasn't killed, his current position was probably in jeopardy.

Zhang Yang looked at Yelü Yudu, whose face was ashen, patted him on the shoulder, and said, "You are a member of the Liao royal family, aren't you?"

Yelü Yudu nodded and said, "Yes."

"I have heard quite a bit about you, and I'd like to say a few words to you. The Jin Kingdom is now on the verge of collapse, and you should consider the fate of the subordinates you brought to the Jin. We have a saying in the Central Plains: 'A good bird chooses a good tree to perch on, and a wise minister chooses a good lord to serve.' Do you know what that means?"

After the founding of the Liao Kingdom, it vigorously studied Han Chinese culture. Yelü Yudu understood the meaning of those two sentences, but he didn't expect the Emperor of the Celestial Dynasty to say such things to him. The implication of recruiting him was very clear. It

seemed that the Emperor of the Celestial Dynasty had already decided to attack the Jin Kingdom, and he wasn't afraid to report back to the Jin Emperor.

Yelü Yudu also knew that even if the Jin Kingdom were to prepare its military now, or even if the Liao Kingdom were willing to put aside its grievances and fight against the Celestial Dynasty together with the Jin Kingdom, it would be impossible to stop the Celestial Dynasty's advance. Because the wolves of the grasslands had already rallied under the banner of the Celestial Emperor, with a single command from him, everything in their path would be torn to shreds.

Even at the height of the Liao Dynasty's power, they never considered waging war against the various grassland tribes. The ancestral precept of successive emperors was to strictly prohibit the inflow of iron weapons into the grasslands, advocating a divide-and-rule strategy.

Once the grasslands were
unified

, they would become a raging flood, sweeping away and tearing apart anything in their way.

A unified grassland was a powerful weapon, but if it were to injure itself, it would also be a deadly weapon. Therefore, the Liao emperors never considered unifying the grasslands, as they were powerless to control the vast expanse.

Yelü Yudu originally thought that if anyone could unify the grasslands, it would surely come from a grassland tribe, and that would be a day of suffering for civilized races. But to his surprise, the first person to unify the grasslands came from the relatively weak Central Plains, and it seemed he was already adept at controlling the various tribes.

With invincible cannons and the swift-moving grassland cavalry, he couldn't imagine what in this world could stop him.

Yes, the world would submit to him.

"Under the whole heaven, all land belongs to the king; on the shores of the earth, all people are subjects of the king.

" This proverb, sung in the Central Plains for thousands of years, would soon become a reality. Yelü Yudu longed to kneel at his feet, but remembering he was still under the Jin dynasty's control, he glanced guiltily at Wuqimai and trembled, saying, "This servant is willing to submit to the Celestial Dynasty, but my family is still in the Jin kingdom. I beg

Your Majesty to grant us some more time." Before this emperor of a thousand ages, Yelü Yudu's previous dignity was completely extinguished, and he couldn't help but use a lowly self-reference he had learned in the Jin kingdom: "slave." This word would bring shame to the Han people for centuries to come.

Wuqimai, seeing Yelü Yudu's frequent glances and uneasy expression, couldn't help but ask in Jurchen, "What are you saying?"

Could it be that he understood something?

Upon hearing this, Yelü Yudu's legs went weak, and he almost fell to the ground in fright. Although he knew Wu Qimai didn't understand Chinese, the Jin Dynasty had taken in many Han officials after its founding, so perhaps he could understand a few words.

"What is he saying?"

At this crucial moment, Zhang Yang's authoritative voice gave him immense confidence. He wiped the sweat from his face and replied, "He's asking us what we're saying."

"Oh, then tell him, 'I am very angry with the Jin Dynasty. The consequences will be severe.'"

Zhang Yang had already noticed something amiss from Wu Qimai's expression, but seeing that Yelü Yudu was about to give himself away, he interrupted Wu Qimai's questioning.

Yelü Yudu nodded in understanding and turned to Wu Qimai in broken Jurchen. He said, "The Emperor of the Celestial Dynasty is very angry about our disruption of the alliance. He has repeatedly reprimanded us and threatened war. Our mission has been a complete failure."

Wu Qimai recalled Zhang Yang's cold and stern expression and immediately abandoned any doubts, hurriedly saying, "Then you must save us! We'll submit and offer tribute!"

As a fellow barbarian, Wu Qimai knew the situation of the steppe tribes all too well. They were no less brave than the Jurchen tribes, but their numbers were dozens of times greater. If it weren't for the constant internal wars among the steppe tribes, the Jurchens would never have had a chance to rise.

Back then, when the Hongjila and a few other small steppe tribes invaded, the Jin Dynasty

had to deploy half of its elite troops to subdue them, and even then, they only gained the advantage in weaponry. Now that the steppes have the Celestial Dynasty as their master, their weaponry will surely surpass that of the Jin Dynasty. Seeing the situation was unfavorable, the Hongjila tribes also defected to the Celestial Dynasty.

Hundreds of thousands of steppe cavalry charged towards the Jin Dynasty, and the Jin Dynasty's fate would probably be even worse than that of the Liao Dynasty. This is because the Liao Dynasty had been Sinicized for a century and had even learned many defensive techniques from the Central Plains. The newly risen Jin dynasty, however, excelled only in open field battles. When both were on the defensive, the difference in strength was obvious.

Yelü Yudu, seeing the usually arrogant Wu Qimai now panicked, felt a surge of satisfaction. He turned and casually relayed Wu Qimai's words to Zhang Yang, as if he had already become a subject of the Celestial Empire.

"I hope to see the Jin dynasty's official letter of descent in Bianjing in a month. The Jin dynasty's status can be discussed then. I think by then, you should be able to enter the grasslands. Once you're on the grasslands, the Jin dynasty will dare not pursue you,"

Zhang Yang said after some consideration.

Zhang Yang didn't care about the Jin dynasty's tribute and submission; Yelü Yudu was someone he wanted to win over. He had first led troops against the Jin, and then led the Jin to attack the Liao, so he must be extremely familiar with the terrain of the Jin and Liao regions. There was no better guide than him to wipe out the Jin and Liao.

However, Zhang Yang was still waiting. If history hadn't changed, then perhaps the Liao dynasty would soon collapse.

Yelü Yudu knew that the Heavenly Emperor was merely appeasing the Jin Dynasty, but this also gave him time to extricate himself. Suppressing his delight, he relayed the Heavenly Emperor's words to Wu Qimai.

As the two were whispering, Zhang Yang waved his hand, saying, "I need to rest."

Yelü Yudu, not wanting to be impolite in front of his future master, ignored Wu Qimai's questioning and quickly pulled him away to take his leave.

As soon as Zhang Yang turned to leave, a beautiful figure rushed into his arms.

Zhang Yang casually reached for the woman's full breasts, and with just a slight squeeze, he knew she was Qimuge (a Mongolian name meaning flower stamen), the younger of the mixed-race twins.

Looking down into her alluring eyes, Zhang Yang laughed, "You're

even more eager than a flower!"

"Heavenly Khan, you were so majestic just now!"

Qimuge looked at Zhang Yang with admiration, her small hands already sliding down his chest and abdomen, teasing his manhood.

Zhang Yang saw the madness and obsession of future star-struck fans in her face and laughed, "Power requires strength. This world is realistic. Whoever has the biggest fist can dominate everything, including their lives."

Yes, only force can make those barbarians kneel and grovel.

“Who in this world can be more valiant than the Heavenly Khan? I want to taste the Heavenly Khan’s valor.”

Qimuge untied her shoulder straps, licked her lips with her bright red tongue, and said in a seductive voice, “Take me out.”

This dress was incredibly loose and unsuitable for outdoor sex.

Zhang Yang stepped on the edge of her dress, and her flawless white body slowly rose.

When her snow-white, full breasts reached Zhang Yang’s lips, he couldn’t help but suck on one of the pink cherries.

Qimuge, a step too slow, saw that her sister was still half-covered in the dress. The two became intimate, so she had to step forward and pull off the dress.

Once the dress was off, Qimuge wrapped her long legs around Zhang Yang’s waist, holding his head so that he could taste her breasts to his heart’s content.

Before long, Qimuge was burning with desire, moaning incoherently, “Don’t suck anymore, fuck me! Fuck me!”

Only then did Zhang Yang lift his head from her already full breasts and carry her to the back.

Upon reaching the back, Zhang Yang placed her on a low table. Qimuge immediately understood and knelt on the table, swaying her full, high-perched buttocks.

"Come in quickly, let me enjoy the strength of the Son of Eternal Heaven."

Zhang Yang looked at her already overflowing lower body and, without hesitation, quickly removed her clothes and thrust into Qimuge's body.

The domineering force caused Qimuge to fall forward, but fortunately, Zhang Yang reacted quickly and caught her slender waist.

"Oh, God, you are so great, sending me to such a wonderful country."

Qimuge was not startled at all, but was simply intoxicated by Zhang Yang's powerful thrusts, babbling incoherently.

Although Qimuge called out to God, Zhang Yang knew that she did not believe in Christianity. Shortly after birth, she and her sister were adopted by the mother of Huerzha Sihusi, who specialized in learning the art of seduction. Huerzha Sihusi's mother, however, believed in primitive shamanism, and the two sisters were more heavily influenced by shamanism.

Zhang Yang, in a state of exhilarating pleasure, charged forward, while Qimuge let out wanton cries, her plump buttocks desperately responding to his thrusts.

Zhang Yang enjoyed this mixed-race beauty, and his longing for the vastness of Europe grew even stronger.

When it comes to being uninhibited in bed, Westerners are the epitome—or perhaps "unrestrained" is a more accurate description.

Of course, they couldn't compare to the people of a small island to the east; their allure was innate, perhaps their blood flowed with desire. However, they lacked the golden figures and exotic charm of Westerners; they were simply nakedly wanton.

Perhaps due to the alcohol, Zhang Yang grew increasingly vigorous, showing none of his usual tenderness. His member was no ordinary thing, and Qimuge quickly succumbed to his penetration, collapsing onto the table. Qiqige

, too, soon couldn't withstand the onslaught and began to beg for mercy.

But Zhang Yang, drunk and relentless, suddenly lifted her up by the waist, placed her on the ground, and made Qiqige spread her legs naked and wrap them around his waist, allowing for deeper and more intense thrusts.

In this close encounter, Qiqige climaxed several times in just a few moments, her entire body limp like a dough ball. She clung to Zhang Yang, crying out, "Spare me! You're really going to kill me!"

Seeing that she was truly exhausted, Zhang Yang finally placed her on the table.

As soon as Qiqige touched the table, she collapsed, panting heavily.

Qimuge, having regained some strength, saw Zhang Yang's even more ferocious dragon and got up. She opened her luscious red lips and took the dragon that brought her unparalleled pleasure into her mouth, carefully sucking and swallowing.

Fortunately, Qimuge had studied the art of seduction since childhood, using all her skills to her advantage.

Chapter 149: The Hulitai Assembly .

The day after the Three Skills Competition ended was the day of the Hulitai Assembly, and so began early.

As soon as Zhang Yang stepped out of the room, he heard two people greeting him in broken Chinese. They were Yelü Yudu and Wu Qimai.

To curry favor with the Celestial Emperor, Wu Qimai had memorized the greetings.

Today was the day of the Khuriltai (assembly of the Heavenly Emperor), and the Celestial Emperor's elevation to the title of Heavenly Khan was now a foregone conclusion.

The Celestial Emperor, having unified the grasslands, would naturally not be idle. The various tribes newly united under his banner needed a common enemy; otherwise, internal strife would inevitably erupt again on the grasslands. Today's Khuriltai would likely determine an enemy. Regardless of which country this enemy was, it would become a sacrificial offering for the Celestial Emperor, used to feed the various tribes of the grasslands.

After the Jin delegation returned and discussed the matter, Wu Qimai dragged Yelü Yudu to Zhang Yang's tent early, hoping to attend the Khuriltai. He hoped this would make the tribes more cautious and less likely to openly propose attacking the Jin. Even if they couldn't attend the Khuriltai, they could still leave the Celestial Emperor with an impression of subservience, preventing immediate armed conflict.

Zhang Yang was fully aware of their intentions, but he felt no goodwill towards this bald-headed people. Historically, the Jin and Later Jin dynasties (the predecessor of the Qing dynasty) had committed acts of utter inhumanity, their hatred for the Han people being higher than mountains and deeper than the sea. Although they hadn't yet committed any acts of aggression against the Han people, that was because they hadn't had the opportunity.

Zhang Yang believed that once they had the chance, they would betray their master. Zhang Yang wouldn't give them that opportunity, but now was not the time to settle scores.

"No need for formalities. What brings you here?" Zhang Yang nodded to the two, a hint of surprise on his face.

"Your Majesty, he wanted to ask if the Jin dynasty could participate in the Khuriltai Assembly,"

Yelü Yudu replied respectfully, now completely behaving like a subject of the Celestial Empire.

"I previously only invited the various tribes of the grasslands to the alliance; the Jin dynasty was not included. Once the alliance is formed, the various tribes will become subjects of the Celestial Empire, something the Jin dynasty certainly cannot do. Therefore, I will not make things difficult for them." "

The Jin Kingdom has already grown to a considerable size. They are willing to submit, but they naturally wouldn't want to be incorporated into the Celestial Empire."

Wu Qimai, having heard Yelü Yudu's account, didn't press the matter further.

This alliance meeting was held outdoors, on a small hill by the river.

When Zhang Yang arrived, many tribal leaders were already there, all sitting on the ground. A cloth had been laid out on the ground, presumably because of Zhang Yang's presence, giving it a picnic feel. At

the very center were the Khans of the four major tribes, with seats arranged according to the size of their tribes.

Everyone had been sitting on the ground, but upon seeing Zhang Yang arrive with his men, they all rose to greet him.

After exchanging greetings, Zhang Yang walked to the center and sat down on the ground as well, while Wu Song stood on the periphery, monitoring the surrounding area.

Seeing the scattered seating, Zhang Yang smiled and said, "Those in the back, please sit forward; there's no need to save seats for them." "

Upon hearing the Son of Eternal Heaven speak, the leaders of the smaller tribes gathered around Zhang Yang, forming several tight circles. Those arriving later were relegated to the back.

After a short while, seeing that most people had arrived, Zhang Yang cleared his throat and said, 'Alright, let the Khuriltai Assembly begin. The first matter is the establishment of the Heavenly Khan. Everyone, please share your opinions.'

'I wish to honor the Son of Eternal Heaven as the Heavenly Khan. For hundreds of years, the various tribes of the grasslands have been fighting each other. Now that the Eternal Heaven has sent down a Holy Son, our tribes can only prosper by following in his footsteps.' 'Emperor

Taizong of Tang was once honored as the Heavenly Khan. Now that the Holy Son has descended, he naturally deserves the title.'

'Yes. Only the Holy Son is qualified to be the Heavenly Khan.'...

"

The various tribes had long considered Zhang Yang to be the son of the Eternal Heaven. The moment Zhang Yang raised the issue, they vied to enthrone him as the Heavenly Khan, as if being late would be disrespectful to the Eternal Heaven.

"Does anyone object to me becoming the Heavenly Khan?"

Zhang Yang waved his hand to stop the crowd, surveying them.

Those who held the Eternal Heaven in utmost reverence had no objections. Even those who didn't want the Heavenly Khan to bind them had already expressed their support, so how could they dare to oppose him?

"Since no one objects, then from this day forward, I am the Heavenly Khan of the Steppes. All tribes will enjoy my protection and be subject to my rule. Those who perform meritorious service will be rewarded, and those who commit transgressions will be punished."

"Greetings, Heavenly Khan!"

Menglu Khan of the Naiman tribe, quick-witted, knelt and kowtowed to the

Heavenly Khan. Seeing this, the other Khans also prostrated themselves before Zhang, congratulating him on his ascension.

Looking at the prostrate crowd at his feet, Zhang Yang felt a surge of joy. They represented hundreds of thousands of invincible iron cavalry. With them, the world would be defenseless, and before long, the entire world would bow before him.

"Everyone, please stand up. Everyone can share their thoughts,"

said Hurzashusi. "Now that all the tribes of the grasslands have gathered under the banner of the Heavenly Khan, I think each tribe should establish an army to stand by, so that when the Heavenly Khan issues an order, things won't go wrong."

Everyone knew that the Kereit tribe had already submitted to the Heavenly Khan, and his words were probably the Heavenly Khan's intention, so they immediately agreed.

Zhang Yang, however, said, "This is not appropriate. Most of the tribes are herders, and if they gather together, trouble is likely to break out. If anything happens, I will summon the tribes. They are all cavalry, so there won't be any problems."

Hurzhasi Hurzhasi had originally wanted to gather some troops for himself, but seeing that Zhang Yang had rejected his suggestion, he said again, "The tribes have just come under the command of the Heavenly Khan. We must fight to prove our loyalty and let the world know about the mighty army of the grasslands. We are willing to fight for the Emperor in all directions, so that the world can bask in the glory of the Heavenly Khan. For hundreds of years, the Liao Kingdom has been oppressing the tribes of our grasslands and killing countless ancestors. This is a good opportunity to use the Liao Kingdom as a sacrifice."

Having seen this precedent of being rejected, everyone stopped speaking casually and looked at Zhang Yang.

"This is a good idea, but last year the Tibetans rebelled, and I was just about to send troops to punish them. Since you all have the will to fight, let's conquer the Tibetans first. I will send artillerymen to assist you in breaking through the city. The spoils will be handled in the same way as when the Kereit tribe wiped out the Uyghurs. However , I have a great use for the people."

The Kereit tribe had previously plundered countless resources from the two Uyghur tribes, and the various tribes had long coveted them. Hearing that the Heavenly Dynasty's troops were breaking through the city, they were overjoyed. They believed they were still unmatched in open battle.

As everyone was pondering, they heard footsteps. Several late Khans arrived together.

Zhang Yang, sitting at the head of the table, glanced at everyone and said coldly, "What, are you also here to attend the meeting?"

One of the leaders bowed his head and said, "Yes, yes, Your Majesty, please forgive us for being late!"

"Why are you so late?"

"We overslept. We drank too much last night!"

"Drinking? Everyone drank. Why are you the only ones late?"

Because of his protest, Zhang Yang's voice became even colder.

The Khan behind them had arrived earlier but dared not approach, waiting for a few others to bolster his courage—after all, the law doesn't punish the masses. Moreover, they had heard the crowd's homage to the Heavenly Khan from afar, and seeing Zhang Yang's cold expression, they trembled with fear, kneeling on the ground and pleading, "Heavenly Khan, spare us! I truly didn't mean to be late. Please forgive me this time!"

The Heavenly Khan was using them as an example to intimidate the other tribes.

The others also had this thought and quickly followed suit, kneeling and begging for mercy.

"Get up, all of you. Considering this is your first time, I will not pursue the matter further. If there is a next time, I will not be so lenient."

Hearing Zhang Yang's forgiveness, the crowd trembled as they thanked him and sat down at the back. They secretly wiped the cold sweat from their faces; the experience felt like a brush with death, and even thinking about it made them break out in a cold sweat. The Heavenly Khan's angry gaze was truly chilling.

Seeing the somewhat indifferent looks on everyone's faces, Zhang Yang said, "It's not that I'm mistreating you. The Eternal Heaven sent me here so that the glory of the grasslands would shine upon the earth. If you continue to be as undisciplined as before, you will never achieve anything, especially on the battlefield where everything changes in an instant. You could lose an opportunity at any moment, and countless lives of your men could be lost in a single thought. Now that I am the Heavenly Khan, you must obey my orders without question."

"Alright, the spoils will be distributed according to the proportion of troops contributed by each tribe. Each tribe should see how many troops they can contribute.

The tribes east of Hulun Lake do not need to contribute troops for now; I have other arrangements."

The more troops contributed, the more spoils they would reap, so everyone was naturally willing to contribute and wished they could send out their entire force.

"My Naiman tribe will contribute 30,000 troops."

"The Mongol tribe will also contribute 30,000."

"The Merkit tribe will contribute 30,000."

"The Kereit tribe will contribute 50,000."

Khurjash Khurjash seemed to have tasted the sweetness of war, and with the annexation of the Tatars greatly increasing his strength, he mobilized another 50,000 troops.

The other tribes also contributed anywhere from several thousand to tens of thousands.

Zhang Yang roughly calculated that the various tribes had actually gathered more than 200,000 troops. He only needed to send some artillerymen, and that would be enough to wipe out the Tubo.

Chapter 150 I'll Shoot Eagles Too.

"Indeed, a group of giant eagles lives on a cliff in our tribe, not much like the ones raised by the Heavenly Khan. Some time ago, a pair of white eagles appeared."

"A pair of white eagles?"

After the Hulitai Conference, Zhang Yang had sought out several tribes north of Hulun Lake to inquire about the eagle group, but he never expected to hear such astonishing news, which almost gave him the illusion of returning to the Legend of the Condor Heroes. The Legend of the Condor Heroes features a group of black eagles and a pair of white eagles. Guo Jing even performed a feat of shooting two eagles with one arrow. The descendants of the white eagles also appear frequently in the book.

"Yes, those white eagles are incredibly large, even larger than black eagles. White feathers are already rare, but their bodies are so enormous that no one from any tribe has ever seen them before. Many people say they are sacred objects." After the white eagles settled down, the flock of black eagles constantly attacked them, but the white eagles always gained the upper hand. However, recently the white eagles have disappeared from the sky; perhaps they've migrated away.” The tribal chief said, a hint of regret in his voice.

Could it be that the white eagles had reached their egg-laying season and migrated for the safety of their offspring? Or were they simply too annoyed by the constant attacks?

“Have any other tribes seen that pair of white eagles?”

Zhang Yang was quite interested in the pair. If he could raise a pair of white eagles, it would be far more ethereal than black eagles, and it would be easier to act like a god.

“No, we've inquired extensively, and none of the nearby tribes have seen that pair of white eagles.”

Hearing this, Zhang Yang had no choice but to put aside the matter of the white eagles and said in a deep voice, “Giant eagles are creatures raised in the celestial realm and shouldn't appear in the mortal world. These wicked beasts have stolen down to earth, wreaking havoc on various tribes. This time, I will go north with you. We'll shoot those wicked beasts and save them from further harming the grasslands.” The Khans

of the various tribes were overjoyed to hear the Heavenly Khan's words. They had long wanted to eradicate the giant eagles that frequently preyed on livestock, but their feathers were as hard as iron, making them difficult to wound with arrows. Even if several arrows were fired, the eagles would quickly flee unless they hit vital organs, followed by a massive reprisal from the eagles. Each reprisal resulted in the death of thousands of livestock, a considerable fortune for a small tribe. Ambushes were futile as they couldn't escape the eagles' sharp eyes. Left with no other option, they treated the eagles as sacred objects, strictly forbidding anyone from shooting them to prevent retaliation, as the eagles didn't eat much each day.

Now, hearing that the Heavenly Khan was going to help them eliminate the giant eagles, they beamed with joy; the dark clouds that had hung over their tribes for years were finally dissipating.

After the tribes swore a blood oath in the Mongol tribe, Zhang Yang led Hua Rong's cavalry and three thousand imperial guards northward with several other tribes to search for the giant eagles.

Marching across the grasslands was exhilarating, especially since each unit was a cavalry force. Before they knew it, they had covered dozens of miles, galloping across the lush green plains. Even though the horses and riders were drenched in sweat, they didn't feel tired. The splashing water as they raced across rivers was refreshing.

With herdsmen leading the way, they encountered no obstacles, easily finding places to ford rivers.

"Hulun Lake is just a few miles ahead,"

the leading herdsman reported after half a day's journey.

Zhang Yang waved his hand and said, "Good, then let's have lunch at Hulun Lake. Order everyone to slow down."

"Woo-woo."

After a melodious horn sound, the large cavalry force slowed their pace, their horses clattering towards Hulun Lake.

A small tribal Khan dismounted, picked up a small stone, put it in his pocket, and quickly mounted again, as if afraid someone would steal it.

Seeing his suspicious behavior, Wu Song asked warily, "What are you doing?"

The Khan, noticing Wu Song's suspicious look... He had no choice but to pull out a small black stone from his pocket. He explained, "I just found a piece of star iron."

Zhang Yang glanced at it; the stone had a layer of black molten crust on its surface. He then smiled and said, "That's a treasure from their grasslands. Tell everyone about this star iron."

He knew that star iron was actually a meteorite. The grasslands were vast and sparsely populated, so ancient meteorites that had fallen from the sky could often be found deep in the grass. The iron inside the meteorite, after being refined at high temperatures, was far harder than the iron forged in this era. Therefore, weapons made from star iron were exceptionally sharp and sturdy, indeed comparable to top-tier weapons from the Central Plains . However

, forging even one was extremely difficult. Even several generations might not be able to find enough star iron to forge a scimitar.

The Khan, relieved that the Heavenly Khan had spoken and didn't want his Star Iron, carefully put it into his robes and said, "The tribes of the grasslands are all martial, and naturally value their weapons highly. However, none of them mine, and the surrounding countries strictly prohibit the flow of iron into the grasslands. Therefore, iron is scarce on the grasslands; an iron knife can be exchanged for several horses."

Hearing this, Wu Song couldn't help but ask, "Don't the tribes often plunder the surrounding countries? How come they are still so short of iron?"

"All nations are heavily guarded against the grasslands, and tribes only occasionally sneak in to plunder and escape. The small amount of iron they plunder is mostly used to repair iron pots and horseshoes; very little can be used to forge weapons. Therefore, the people of the grasslands often collect iron stones scattered on the grasslands while herding, accumulating them little by little until one day they can forge a scimitar. Among these iron stones, star iron is the best; the scimitars forged from it are even stronger and more resilient than those of the Central Plains." When

the people of the Celestial Empire heard him say that weapons forged from star iron were stronger than those of the Central Plains, a hint of disdain appeared on their faces. How ridiculous it was to say that such a barbaric place could forge divine weapons.

Wu Song even drew his waist knife and laughed, "Does anyone have a weapon forged from star iron? Compare it with my waist knife and let me see your grassland's divine weapon."

Several tribal khans looked at the man in front of them, who confidently drew his waist knife and handed it to Wu Song, saying, "Please examine the knife, General."

Wu Song picked up his knife and swung it forcefully at his own saber. "

Clang!"

A crisp sound rang out as the two blades clashed and separated instantly, neither breaking as the other had expected.

Everyone stared intently; both blades had been chipped, though Wu Song's saber had a slightly larger nick. However, since his saber had been struck, strictly speaking, the two strikes were evenly matched.

The group from the Celestial Empire looked at Wu Song's saber with disbelief. It was a precious sword forged using a method improved by the Emperor, yet it had been chipped by a steppe man's saber.

The owner of the curved saber, looking at the tiny nick, was even more heartbroken. It was a treasured sword passed down through generations, and he had ruined it.

"You've damaged your precious sword, so I'll give you this one. It's definitely no worse than yours."

Seeing the man's pained expression, Zhang Yang picked up his own horse-slaying saber and tossed it to him. The

man caught the saber, glanced at the exquisite scabbard, and was momentarily stunned. Realizing what had happened, he quickly presented the saber to Zhang Yang with both hands, saying, "It was I who volunteered for the duel; I dare not accept the Khan's saber."

Zhang Yang waved his hand, saying, "My word is law. Since I have bestowed it upon you, take it."

The man, recalling the legends of the Central Plains emperors, dismounted, solemnly kowtowed three times, and sheathed the precious saber amidst the envious gazes of the crowd.

Wu Song also handed his curved saber back to him, glanced at his own waist knife, and tossed it to a guard behind him, saying, "Keep this for me for now; have them reforge it when we get back." "

As they spoke, the sound of flowing water could be heard, and Hulun Lake appeared not far away.

Hulun Lake is fed by the Kerulen River and the Urson River, covering an area of over 2,000 square kilometers, with a maximum depth of eight meters, and most of it is crystal clear. Hulun Lake connects to the Hailar River in the north, and its waters flow into the Heilongjiang River.

It is an extremely beautiful lake. Whether it's the legendary Zhang Yang from later generations or the many people with extensive connections, the moment they see Hulun Lake, they are all speechless with astonishment.

Its beauty is beyond ordinary. The vast expanse of water, where the sky and water meet, shimmers in the gentle breeze.

This boundless expanse of blue water is like a huge, sparkling pearl, inlaid in the Hulunbuir Grassland ."

The group lingered around Hulun Lake for a day before setting off again the next day. Crossing

the Hulunbuir Grassland, they gradually entered the territory of a forest tribe. While they still engaged in animal husbandry, they no longer followed the pastures, and towns and villages were frequently seen. They primarily relied on hunting for a living, but also cultivated some land. In winter, they hunted by skiing on wooden horses (snowmobiles). Their native products included fine horses, white and black gyrfalcons, and sables. For example, the Buluhechen and Keliemuchen tribes were known as sable hunters and sable hunters, respectively.

On this particular day, as the group was traveling, they heard a loud cry from the sky, the sound growing closer, and Zhang Yang's three eagles responded with a high-pitched call.

Not long after... At that moment, more than twenty giant eagles swooped down menacingly from the horizon.

Zhang Yang directed the giant eagles to circle overhead, dismounted, picked up his bow and arrow, his left hand firmly holding the iron bow without the slightest tremor, while his right hand exerted force, drawing the divine crossbow to its full extent. Just as a black eagle entered range, Zhang Yang slightly shifted his left arm, aimed at the eagle's neck, and released his right hand, the arrow flying like a meteor. The black eagle seemed not to have expected anyone to shoot so high, and before it could react, it was shot down. Just as

the flock of eagles behind was about to dodge, Zhang Yang fired a series of arrows, shooting down five or six more giant eagles.

Seeing this, the flock of eagles cried out in distress and climbed upwards.

Zhang Yang shot down a few more, but could no longer hit them, so he had to... He ordered his giant eagles to descend and ascended into the air.

Seeing Zhang Yang approach, the flock of eagles immediately fled back in their direction.

After chasing them to the bottom of a cliff, a group of giant eagles turned and swooped down, completely ignoring Zhang Yang's unerring arrows. In a short time, the entire flock of eagles had been shot down at the foot of the cliff, but none had escaped.

Looking at the dozen or so caves on the cliff and hearing the faint cries of eagles still lingering inside, Zhang Yang knew what they were protecting. However, for the sake of an aerial reconnaissance unit, he couldn't be lenient.

Chapter 151 The Rise and

Fall of Tibet "Long live the Heavenly Khan! Long live the Heavenly Khan!"

The people of the Balahu tribe arrived at the bottom of the cliff and saw the ground littered with the corpses of giant eagles, and couldn't help but cheer loudly.

Zhang Yang then ordered the Imperial Guards: "Collect the eagle corpses and send them back to Bianjing. I want a batch of specially made arrows."

For arrows to be accurate, the fletching must be of high quality. Ordinary arrows are made from various birds' feathers, but only the finest fletching uses eagle feathers, and these giant eagle feathers can be used to make a batch of excellent arrows.

Capturing the eaglets became much easier. Zhang Yang rode a giant eagle, digging through cave after cave, and captured more than thirty eaglets in total, though it was unknown how many would survive.

Zhang Yang sent the eaglets back to Bianjing, while he himself toured the grasslands. Several days later, he led his troops north to Xiliang Prefecture.

Xiliang Prefecture was established during the Song Dynasty, but the Song Dynasty was actually unable to formally establish its own political structure in Liangzhou. The local Tu ethnic group, the Zhe family, controlled the Liangzhou government.

The Zhe family belonged to the Six Valleys lineage of the Tubo (Tibetan) people, and their family had been appointed as local officials in Liangzhou by the Song Dynasty for generations. After the rise of the Tangut people, they continuously expanded their power, directly threatening the safety of the Tibetan tribes in Liangzhou. This forced the various Tibetan tribes to seek support from the Song Dynasty. After the Tanguts captured Lingzhou, the Song Dynasty also sought an alliance with the Tibetans and Uyghurs residing in Liangzhou and Ganzhou to jointly combat the Tanguts.

Therefore, the Song Dynasty built Xiliang Prefecture, which was controlled by the Six Valleys of Tibet, intended to restrain the Tanguts from behind. Unfortunately, it was later captured by the Tanguts and became a bridgehead for the Western Xia's defense against Tibet.

When the Celestial Empire attacked the Western Xia, the Six Valleys seized the opportunity to rise up, expelling the Western Xia garrison and regaining control of Xiliang Prefecture. They then petitioned the Celestial Empire, expressing their willingness to submit. Zhang Yang then appointed their leader, Zhe Panluo, as the prefect of Xiliang Prefecture to defend it.

The news that Zhang Yang had unified the grasslands and that hundreds of thousands of grassland cavalry would attack Tibet from Xiliang Prefecture was not kept secret. The Celestial Empire continued to send weapons from the rear, and with the constant arrival of tribes, Xiliang Prefecture was already immersed in the atmosphere of a major battle.

Ever since the first tribal troops arrived outside the city,

Zhe Panluo

, the prefect of Xiliang Prefecture, had been on tenterhooks. The fearsome reputation of the steppe cavalry resounded throughout the borderlands. Although they had been subjugated by the Liao Dynasty for over a century, they were prone to rebellion and rejoining, with tribes frequently raiding Liao territory.

The Western Xia and Uyghurs were even more formidable; they could launch a surprise attack if caught off guard. Wherever they went, besides corpses, ironware, women, and livestock would be looted.

Although the Celestial Emperor's fame spread far and wide in the Central Plains, news from the steppes was scarce. The various tribes might not know of his many astonishing deeds, and their submission might not be genuine. If he were to carelessly lead his troops into the city, it would surely result in the destruction of the city and the loss of life.

Therefore, Zhe Panluo ordered his men to monitor the steppe troops while simultaneously stationing troops extensively at the city gates, keeping all four gates tightly shut at night. Fortunately, no rebellion occurred until all the tribes of the grasslands had arrived.

Upon hearing that the emperor was arriving with his army, Zhe Panluo and the various tribal khans went out ten miles from the city to greet him.

Zhe Panluo saw that the usually unruly khans were now looking into the distance with devout expressions, awaiting the emperor. He couldn't help but feel even more awe and curiosity towards the emperor, whose fame was widespread.

Finally, the dragon banner appeared on the horizon, and everyone quickly dismounted and waited.

Handsome, even more refined than the average person from the Central Plains. However, he seemed a little too kind, lacking the kind of aura that made people afraid to look directly at him, and his smile was as warm as a boy next door. He was sturdy, but a little thin, not the kind of person who could fight tigers and tear apart leopards, yet he had created miracles in both the Central Plains and the grasslands. Such a small body, yet he could unleash such strength, truly astonishing.

Zhe Panluo sized up Zhang Yang. Zhang Yang also sized him up, dressed in the official robes of the Celestial Empire. His appearance was rugged, like most people from beyond the Great Wall, giving him an air of trustworthiness.

"Greetings, Your Majesty!"

"Greetings, Heavenly Khan!"

Before Zhang Yang could even reach him, the crowd hurriedly bowed in greeting.

Zhang Yang dismounted, helped Zhe Panluo up, took his hand, and smiled, "Rise, all of you. You must be Zhe Panluo? I have long admired you, a remarkable figure of the Liugu tribe."

Zhe Panluo, flattered by the emperor's intimate gesture, replied, "If Your Majesty hadn't led the troops to attack Western Xia, the Liugu tribe would still be oppressed by them. My humble servant and the Liugu tribe owe our present state entirely to Your Majesty's grace. I will certainly dedicate myself to the utmost until my dying breath."

Zhang Yang encouraged him further, then said, "You are a native Tibetan, tell me about the current situation in Tibet."

Zhe Panluo, prepared, respectfully replied, "Tibet flourished with our ancestor Songtsen Gampo and reached its peak during the Tang Dynasty..." At its peak, Tibet's territory stretched from the Pamir Mountains in the west to the Longshan Mountains and Sichuan in the east, and from the Tianshan Mountains and Juyan Mountains in the north

to the southern foothills of the Himalayas. Unfortunately, by the end of the Tang Dynasty, Tibet was fragmented into five parts, ruled by various separatist forces and religious leaders. After over a century of conflict, the Hehuang region of Tibet gradually formed several large tribal groups, each obeying its chief. For example, there was Songchang Sijun in Hezhou, Li Lizun in Zongge (present-day Ledu), and Wenqi in Miaochuan. These chiefs all sought to expand their power, annex each other, and unify the Hehuang region. Thus, the descendants of the Zanpu (Tibetan king) became the objects of their competition to establish their rule over the various tribes. "

Speaking of Jiaosiluo and Zhepanluo, his face immediately lit up with admiration. "

"Jiaosiluo was a descendant of Songtsen Gampo. At the age of twelve, he was taken back to the Hehuang region by Tibetans from Hezhou who were residing in Gaochang. Li Lizun, the chief of Zongge, and Wenqi, the chief of Miaochuan, forcibly abducted him to Kuozhou and established Wenfazang as the Zanpu (king). Soon after, Li Lizun took Jiaosiluo to Zongge City alone and married his daughter to him. In his early years, he was merely a figurehead and puppet for the powerful chiefs, whose power was weakened in the process of fighting among themselves. Later, only two Tibetan local regimes remained: the Panluozhi regime in the Liugu region and the Jiaosiluo regime in the Hehuang region. The Panluozhi regime was soon annexed by the Western Xia, while Jiaosiluo took the opportunity to break free from the control of the powerful chiefs and moved the political center to Qingtang City. From then on, the Jiaosiluo regime gradually prospered. From then on, the Tibetan regime in the Hehuang region was firmly controlled by them."

"Afterwards, he allied with the Song Dynasty to jointly deal with the Western Xia. The founding emperor of Western Xia, Li Yuanhao, once sent troops to attack Qinghai, but was defeated and his commander captured alive. Enraged, Yuanhao personally led a large army to attack the Hehuang region, but was defeated again by Jiaosiluo, deterring him from easily invading. His repeated defeats of Western Xia greatly enhanced Jiaosiluo's reputation, and various tribes in the Hexi Corridor and Longxi regions gathered under his command, making him a powerful figure for a time, with a territory of over three thousand li and a population of over one million households." "

After Western Xia controlled the northern route of the Silk Road, they severely exploited merchants, who complained bitterly. Jiaosiluo then seized the opportunity to build four cities—Linggu, Xuanwei, Zongge, and Miaochuan—to conduct tea-horse trade, protecting passing envoys and merchants, and vigorously developing commerce. Within a few years, merchants from various countries flocked to Tibet, greatly increasing its strength."

"Jiaosiluo's territory mainly encompassed the Hehuangtao region, at its peak covering 3,000 li (approximately 1,500 kilometers). The population was predominantly Tibetan, but also included Tanguts, Han Chinese, Uyghurs, and merchants from the Western Regions residing there, reaching nearly one million at its peak. Jiaosiluo's main economic industry was animal husbandry, followed by agriculture. Its most renowned handicraft was iron armor forging. The armor they produced was impervious to powerful crossbow bolts and was once presented as tribute to the Song Dynasty. It also became a major commercial center for various countries, attracting significant attention from neighboring ethnic groups and nations."

"He reigned for fifty years, and was succeeded by Dongzhan and Aligu, whose descendants received official titles and investiture from the Song Dynasty."

"During Dong Zhan's reign, he once led an army of 150,000 to join forces with the Northern Song Dynasty to attack the Western Xia, helping the Song Dynasty recover Lanzhou. However, after Aligu succeeded to the throne, he rebelled against the

Song Dynasty, prompting the Song Dynasty to send troops to punish him. It was then that Yima Dangzheng, the great-grandson of Jiaosiluo, submitted to the Song Dynasty and was given the name Zhao Huaide and appointed as the prefect. His brother, Bangbiwudingwa, was given the name Zhao Huaiyi and

appointed as the prefect of Huangzhou." "Afterwards, when the Central Plains were in chaos, Yima Dangzheng took the opportunity to rebel again and seized control of Tibet. He also joined forces with the Western Xia to invade the Celestial Empire, but was defeated by the emperor."

Zhang Yang did not expect that a casual question about the current situation of Tibet would bring up so much history, which he knew very well. After finally waiting for him to finish speaking, he asked, "Do you think we can conquer Tibet this time?"

Zhe Panluo nodded and said, "Yima Dangzheng has little prestige among the various Tibetan tribes, and his control is limited to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. This time, the Emperor has brought a large army, and many tribes have already come to surrender or fled. Yima Dangzheng's tribe can't cause any major trouble, and the scattered soldiers of the other tribes can be wiped out with a flick of the wrist."

Chapter 152 The Potala Palace

Yima Dangzheng, whose name was bestowed upon him by the Song Dynasty, followed the Western Xia invading the Central Plains. Fearing retaliation from the Celestial Empire, he fled to Lhasa. The Kagyu sect of Tantric Buddhism, which controlled Lhasa, also wanted to use his status as a descendant of the Tsangpo (king) to unify Tibet, so they called him Tsangpo again. However, the local nobles and sects did not recognize his Tsangpo status and did not obey the orders of Lhasa.

Upon learning that the Celestial Empire had unified the grasslands and that the grassland army was gathering on the border, Yima Dangzheng ordered the border tribes to fortify their defenses, hold their ground, and harass the enemy's rear. However, the border tribes that could surrender all submitted, while those who had participated in the invasion of the Central Plains but dared not surrender fled to the heart of Tibet. Few tribes fought to the death against the Mongol army.

Furthermore, the Mongols could go for over ten days without food, subsisting solely on mare's milk. Therefore, the Celestial Empire's army didn't need to transport provisions from the rear; they only carried some for the artillerymen and imperial guards, and could requisition supplies locally if needed. Thus, harassment was largely ineffective. Moreover, under the Mongol onslaught of raids from all sides, few could escape harassing the army's rear.

Zhang Yang led the Mongol army in a swift and decisive victory, conquering cities. The Celestial Empire simply sent people to take over these cities, and many surrendered tribes were given positions to assist in managing the rear. Resisting tribes were mostly slaughtered by the bloodthirsty Mongols, and the survivors were enslaved and sold in the Central Plains. With the assistance of the surrendered tribes, the Celestial Empire quickly consolidated its rule in the region.

Various regions of the Celestial Empire began encouraging Han Chinese to settle in Tibet, with policies far more favorable than those in Ningxia. It was believed that it wouldn't be long before Han Chinese could flourish in Tibet,

and a small number of Tibetans would assimilate into the Han Chinese population.

Although the Mongol cavalry committed widespread rape and plunder along the way, Zhang Yang's four tribes marched swiftly because there were few large cities near the Celestial Empire. The Tibetan cities were concentrated within a few hundred li of Lhasa, and the four tribes naturally didn't want their prey to escape.

In just twenty days, Zhang Yang led his troops to the walls of Lhasa.

Seeing the Celestial Empire's army advancing with unstoppable momentum, Yima Dangzheng led his troops in another escape while the Celestial Empire's army was still nearly a thousand li away. The people of Lhasa, hearing of the Mongol massacre, also fled westward.

Upon hearing of Yima Dangzheng's escape, Zhang Yang summoned the leaders of his four tribes and led a light cavalry force to the Potala Palace.

This palace, originally built in the 7th century AD by the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo to welcome Princess Wencheng of the Tang Dynasty, was specially constructed on Red Mountain. It became a popular tourist destination in later generations. Yima Dangzheng was a descendant of Songtsen Gampo, and Zhang Yang wasn't worried about him destroying it, but rather feared that rioters might loot it or even burn it down.

When they reached about twenty li outside the city of Diluise, Zhang Yang finally breathed a sigh of relief; the magnificent Potala Palace still sat atop Red Mountain. Its imposing form could be seen from dozens of li away, and from the outside, it appeared largely undamaged. The closer they got, the more awe-inspiring it became. The

snow-white Potala Palace sat atop Marpo Ri (Red Mountain), its buildings cascading down the mountainside, winding all the way to the summit. While it certainly lacked the exquisite beauty of the Bianjing palaces, its towering presence and awe-inspiring grandeur were unparalleled.

At this time, Tibet was not yet a theocratic state, and the three main buildings of the Potala Palace were all entirely white, standing majestically on Red Mountain, hence the name "White Palace." Later, after the lamas came to power and rebuilt the Potala Palace, the Red Palace was created.

Zhang Yang was also awestruck by the snow-white Potala Palace and charged towards it on horseback.

The four tribes followed Zhang Yang straight to Lhasa, originally intending to make a fortune, but unexpectedly, Yima Dangzheng abandoned the city and fled. The Potala Palace was the palace of the Tubo Kingdom, and Yima Dangzheng had obviously looted it when he fled. However, some money could be found in the homes of some civilians in Lhasa who had not fled.

Seeing that Zhang Yang was heading straight for the Potala Palace, Hurza Sihusi said, "Khan, should we go to Lhasa first, in case the remaining Tubo troops escape?"

Zhang Yang knew their thoughts. However, he also knew that no one would act without a profit, so he waved his hand and said, "You go to Lhasa first. You can also attack some nearby cities. If you encounter a city that is defending itself, come here for reinforcements. Do not attack it directly, lest you suffer too many casualties."

The four Khans were overjoyed upon hearing this and led their troops away in a roar.

When Zhang Yang reached the foot of Red Mountain, about two or three miles away, he reined in his horse and rode

slowly towards it. Upon arriving at the foot of the mountain, he was pleasantly surprised to find a group of lamas dressed in yellow robes and hats, leading some palace attendants, kneeling to welcome him. Zhang Yang waved to stop his army, dismounted, and walked forward.

The leader, Qiongbo Nanjue, seeing the dragon flag fluttering behind Zhang Yang, knew it was the central army of the Heavenly Emperor that he had scouted. Seeing several men surrounding Zhang Yang, who was clad in golden armor, he quickly bowed and said, "Qiongbo Nanjue greets the Heavenly Emperor."

Zhang Yang was quite pleased with their surrender. Although with cannons, they could easily capture the Potala Palace, but that would also destroy this magnificent building, and he couldn't bear to damage these structures.

Zhang Yang stepped forward to help him up, smiling, "Who are you?"

Qiongbo Nanjue stood up and respectfully replied, "I am

Nanjue of the Kagyu school."

"After the Yima Party fled, were you the one protecting the Potala Palace?"

"Yes, to prevent the people from destroying the Potala Palace, I and my followers guarded it here. Now that the wise emperor has arrived, the Potala Palace has a new master."

"Your Kagyu school controls Lhasa?"

"Yes, but some of my high monks also fled with the Yima Party. I only arrived in Lhasa two years ago and cannot yet fully control the city."

"Oh?" Zhang Yang looked at him curiously, "Then why didn't you flee? The steppe soldiers are cruel and bloodthirsty." "

Since ancient times, the Celestial Empire has produced many benevolent rulers. I heard that the emperor is personally leading his troops, so I am here eagerly awaiting his arrival."

Benevolent rulers? It was precisely because emperors of past dynasties cared too much about these words that foreign tribes repeatedly rebelled and submitted. Zhang Yang was benevolent to his own people, but he had never treated foreign tribes as equals.

Although Qiongbo Nanjue was a lama, Zhang Yang saw him as an opportunist, an ambitious man with a thirst for power. Given the opportunity, he might even want to rule like the lamas of later generations.

"You have rendered meritorious service in protecting the Potala Palace; each of you will be rewarded with one hundred taels of silver. Once our Heavenly Dynasty officials arrive, Lhasa will officially be under the rule of the Heavenly Dynasty. At that time, as long as you do not harbor any disloyalty, the Heavenly Dynasty will not kill a single person indiscriminately."

The implication was that Lhasa was not yet part of the Heavenly Dynasty's territory, and the deaths of its inhabitants were simply a matter of life and death.

Zhang Yang was not a bloodthirsty man, but the Mongol soldiers were cruel and belligerent. Forcibly suppressing them might backfire, and reducing the number of these foreign tribes to a "minority" would allow them to integrate into the Han Chinese more quickly.

Qiongbo Nanjue, understanding the Heavenly Emperor's meaning, knew that Lhasa was probably already groaning under the swords of the steppe barbarians. However, at this moment, he was already fortunate to have saved his own life; he couldn't care less about the lives of those lowly people.

Qiongbo Nanjue, born into nobility, though practicing Buddhism, hadn't grasped the true meaning of equality for all beings. Instead, he viewed commoners and slaves as ants, a common trait among various schools of Tantric Buddhism.

"Alright, you come with me to the Potala Palace. Wu Song, you take some men up to secure the palace, lest anyone try to take advantage and damage it."

Upon hearing this, Wu Song led his men and rushed towards the palace.

Looking up at the Potala Palace, its grandeur was even more striking; the Imperial Guards charging beneath the walls appeared as insignificant as ants.

The entire palace was built against the mountainside, with overlapping buildings, towering halls, and a majestic presence. The solid, thick granite walls and the flat, white grass-covered eaves made the entire palace white, except for the resplendent golden roof at the very top, signifying that this was the highest center of Tibetan rule. Against the white walls, the golden roof stood out even more.

Upon reaching the foot of the palace walls, Zhang Yang realized that the Potala Palace was not as fragile as he had initially thought. The walls were three meters thick, entirely constructed of granite, and dozens of meters high, making them extremely difficult to attack and defend. Even with modern gunpowder, it would be very difficult for cannons to blast a breach. Furthermore, the palace's high position meant that if anyone were determined to defend it, capturing the Potala Palace would likely result in the loss of tens of thousands of soldiers. Fortunately,

Yima Dangzheng was terrified by Zhang Yang's undefeated record and lacked the resolve to fight to the death for the Potala Palace, thus delaying the deaths of tens of thousands of Mongol soldiers.

After passing through three layers of walls, Zhang Yang entered the Potala Palace.

His first impression of the Potala Palace was unique. All the eaves projected outwards, and the corners of the roofs were slightly upturned.

The walls beneath the eaves were decorated with gilded bronze ornaments, depicting the Eight Auspicious Symbols of Buddhist ritual implements, giving it a strong Tibetan Buddhist flavor. The pillars and beams were covered with vibrant paintings and ornate carvings. The interior was a labyrinth of interconnected corridors and halls, winding and unpredictable.

Most striking was a four-story-high bronze and iron aerial bridge connecting the central and right-hand palaces.

Seeing Zhang Yang's gaze linger on the bridge, Qiongbo Nanjue explained, "That was built by the Zanpu (King) to facilitate access to the harem. The left side is the Zanpu's sleeping quarters, the center is the council chamber, and the right side is the harem."

It seems Songtsen Gampo was quite the womanizer; otherwise, why would he build such a bridge between the council chamber and the harem? This bridge is certainly convenient; after handling state affairs, one can go directly to the harem, saving the trouble of navigating the mountains.

Chapter 153

The Potala Palace of Joyful Zen. Seeing that Qiongbo Nanjue was already panting, Zhang Yang stopped and asked, "Do you know where Yima Dangzheng and the others fled to?"

Qiongbo Nanjue replied, panting heavily, "They went to the Seljuk Kingdom."

Zhang Yang was only proficient in Chinese history; although he had some knowledge of world history, he was not an expert. Knowing only a superficial understanding of the Seljuk dynasty's history, he asked, "Take a break and tell me about the Seljuks."

Qiongbonanjue took a few deep breaths and replied, "The Seljuk dynasty was founded by the Oghuz Turkic tribe. The Oghuz were originally a nine-tribe alliance from the Sui and Tang dynasties of China, belonging to a branch of the Turks. Later, they migrated west to the Kyrgyz steppe and became known as the Oghuz. Later, the Oghuz leader Seljuk led his nomadic tribe westward to the Chand region in the lower Syr Darya River area, where they were incorporated into the Samanid dynasty's border defense forces. They settled near Bukhara, converted to Islam, and became Sunni Muslims. During the Ghaznavid dynasty's foreign wars and internal strife, the Oghuz tribe seized the opportunity to annex nearby tribes and gradually rose to power."

"When Oghuz was the grandson of Seljuk, Tughrul, he defeated the Ghaznavid army, seized the entire territory of Khorasan from the Ghaznavid kingdom, established his capital in Neshapur, set up an administrative body, and proclaimed himself 'Beck'. Afterwards, he led his troops westward and annexed Media, Lai, Hamadan, Isfahan, and Azerbaijan, becoming a powerful state in the Western Regions."

"At that time, the Abbasid Caliphate (referred to as the 'Black-Clad Caliphate' in Chinese historical records because their flags were black) was usurped by the Boudhanid Caliphate. Seeing the Oghuz's growing power, Caliph Qaim summoned Tughrul to lead troops into Baghdad to defend the Caliphate. Unexpectedly, the wolf in front turned into a tiger behind. Tughrul deposed the Boudhanid Emir and seized power himself. The Caliph was forced to bestow upon Tughrul the title of 'Sultan,' appointing him 'King of the East and West,' making him the Abbasid regent. From then on, all power in the Abbasid Caliphate was controlled by the Sultan, and the Caliph became a symbolic religious leader. Subsequent Sultans continuously expanded their territories, at one point defeating the Byzantine army and even capturing the Byzantine Emperor Romenius Diogenes, occupying eastern Asia Minor. Later, Sultan Malik Shah moved the capital to Baghdad, controlling the entire Islamic world."

"However, after Maliksha's death, his sons fought amongst themselves, and the Seljuk Kingdom fragmented. In recent years, Sanjar, who was enfeoffed in Khorasan, has been waging wars in the south and north. Although he has become the overlord of other small Seljuk dynasties, his strength is no longer comparable to the former Great Seljuk Kingdom."

Zhang Yang remembered that Sanjar's Seljuk Kingdom was destroyed by Yelü Dashi. It seems that the Seljuk Kingdom is no longer as powerful as it once was, controlling the Abbasid Caliphate. Once the Seljuks are wiped out, Central and Western Asia will have no power to resist. Once consolidated ,

they can march into Europe.

"Alright, show me around the Potala Palace."

Zhang Yang was originally worried that they would play guerrilla warfare with him in Tibet, but after hearing that they had fled to the Seljuks, he relaxed.

After touring the Potala Palace for half a day, as it was getting dark, Zhang Yang felt a little hungry and returned to the main hall to prepare for a meal.

Under the dim light of the butter lamps, Zhang Yang and Wu Song and several other leaders shared a Tibetan feast. After

Wu Song and the others had left, Qiongbonanjue, with a lewd grin, said, "This humble servant has prepared some Tibetan specialties for Your Majesty to sample."

Zhang Yang waved his hand and said, "Then bring them up."

Qiongbonanjue bowed and took his leave. A short while later, he returned with more than a dozen beautiful young women. They ranged in age from their teens to their thirties, but what they all had in common was their refined appearance: high noses, deep-set eyes, and fair skin. They were quite different from women from the Central Plains. Even more remarkable was a blonde, blue-eyed girl among them, who appeared to be of pure European descent, yet different from her sisters. Her well-fitting clothes could not conceal her ample breasts and hips, making her stand out even among the dozen or so women.

Qiongbo Nanjue cautiously said to Zhang Yang, "The five on the left are virgins, and the rest are women from my followers. They are all willing to serve Your Majesty. Which ones would Your Majesty like to keep?"

Unexpectedly, the blonde, blue-eyed girl was still a virgin. Zhang Yang nodded in satisfaction and asked, "Don't those women have heads of households?"

Qiongbo Nanjue replied knowingly, "Their heads of households all perished in tribal wars. Your Majesty can enjoy them without worry."

Actually, Zhang Yang was actually hoping for a rebellion, so he could legitimately eliminate some of the Tibetans. However, he didn't want to bear the stigma of taking other men's wives and daughters. Of course, unclaimed women were a different story.

Zhang Yang pointed to the girl who was clearly not Asian and asked, "Is she European?"

Seeing Zhang Yang's interest in the girl, Qiong Bonanjue was secretly pleased with his preparation and respectfully replied, "Your Majesty is wise."

"Is she also one of your followers?"

"Yes, Maria's parents were merchants, traveling between Europe and the Central Plains. After the departure of Jiao Silu, the various Tibetan tribes were no longer restrained and frequently robbed and killed passing merchants. Maria's parents were unfortunately killed by these bandits. Maria was still an infant at the time, so the bandits cruelly disposed of her among their corpses. I happened to be passing by, and out of compassion for life, I adopted her."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yang was greatly disdainful of Qiong Bonanjue's explanation. What compassion for life? Perhaps those bandits were even disguised members of your tribe. Adopting this foreign girl probably wasn't for any good; most likely, they were planning to use her or help him ascend to power.

"Does your sect forbid sexual intercourse?"

Speaking of sects, Qiongbo Nanjue adopted the air of a highly enlightened monk, saying, "Abstinence is the exoteric school. The exoteric school teaches sentient beings to aspire to Buddhahood, but this requires three great asamkhya kalpas. My esoteric school, however, allows for attainment in this lifetime. The exoteric school is like a broad road leading to heaven, easy to travel, but far from the supreme path; the esoteric school is like a thorny shortcut, difficult to travel, but closer to the supreme path. However, esoteric practice is extremely difficult without great capacity and the guidance of a master. Whether Mahayana or Hinayana, the exoteric school seeks liberation by severing desires, but meat, alcohol, and romantic love are not so easily tolerated." Is it easy to sever ties? Daily anxieties and worries keep one's mind restless, making Buddhahood a distant dream. But in my esoteric Buddhism, once one cultivates to a certain level, one can fully enjoy the pleasures of food, drink, and sex. However, the mindset during this enjoyment differs from that of ordinary people. It is a matter of "no destruction, no construction," where one must enter into it to transcend it. Following the principle of reversal at the extremes, one sees through the pleasures of food, drink, and sex. The body eats and drinks, the body engages in intercourse, yet the mind remains still and unmoved. Thus, upholding and breaking precepts become mutually exclusive, achieving a state of no outflows, free from all attachments. Once all desires are completely satisfied, a mind of emptiness arises, and through this, one attains Buddhahood…”

"A great practitioner? Then you should be able to indulge in lust now, right?"

Qiongbo Nanjue chanted a Buddhist prayer, then shook his head, saying, "Although my sect does not forbid lovemaking, it does not encourage it either. My practice is far from reaching Mahayana level, and I am not yet qualified to practice the Joyful Meditation. However, there is a sect that has a deep understanding of the Joyful Buddha. If Your Majesty is interested, you may summon them."

Zhang Yang, however, would not easily fall for it, and waved his hand, saying, "We'll talk about this later. You may leave now." Upon hearing this, Qiongbo Nanjue had no choice but to take his leave.

Chapter 154

Understanding Meditation Qiongbo Nanjue had instilled something in the women, and the two young women chosen both had undisguised joy in their eyes.

Only then did Zhang Yang realize that none of the three women he had chosen looked like Han Chinese, so he tried asking, "Do you speak Chinese?"

Maria looked at this Eastern king, who was said to be the son of the gods, and said crisply, "I understand Chinese."

"Oh? What other languages do you know?" Zhang Yang looked at this European girl in surprise; she was quite a talented woman after all.

Maria didn't disappoint Zhang Yang, smiling, "I can speak Tibetan, Chinese, Latin, and Turkic."

He hadn't expected Qiongbo Nanjue to send such a treasure; not only was she a linguistic genius, but she also possessed bright eyes, white teeth, smooth, radiant skin, and a captivating beauty.

Zhang Yang pulled Maria close and kissed her cheek, finding her skin soft and delicate, even smoother than a young girl's face.

"From now on, you will be my Latin teacher, responsible for teaching me Latin."

"Your Majesty is the King of the East; how can I be worthy to be your teacher?" Maria, experiencing such intimacy with a man for the first time, blushed slightly and whispered.

At the same time, she was surprised to find that the area caressed by the Emperor's large hand felt surprisingly comfortable, and she couldn't help but close her eyes to savor the gentle sensation.

When Zhang Yang carried Maria back to the inner chamber, Maria was already panting heavily.

The remaining two women were, one pure and lovely, the other mature and beautiful, each with their own unique charm. With a

"rip

," Maria's outer garment was torn in two by Zhang Yang and thrown to the ground.

Maria was only wearing a light red bodice and white underpants, beneath which her proud breasts rose. Full and firm, they were far larger than the pigeon-like breasts of Central Plains maidens. A delicate, virginal fragrance wafted through the air.

Zhang Yang ripped open the bodice, and her enormous breasts bounced out, the almost transparent nipples trembling slightly, as if beckoning. A surge of heat rose within him, and a large hand reached out to fondle those breasts.

Maria trembled, a strange sensation spreading from her breasts throughout her body, his hands feeling as if they were on fire, making his mouth dry.

Maria swallowed hard, her voice trembling, "Don't do this."

Women are always coy, saying one thing but meaning another. At this moment, her words couldn't be taken seriously.

The battle-hardened Zhang Yang wouldn't make that mistake, kissing her cheek as he removed her underpants.

Maria felt the last piece of cloth being torn away, and a sense of panic washed over her. Her girlish modesty made her tightly clamp her legs together, concealing her private parts.

Seeing the golden pubic hair on Maria's genitals, Zhang Yang's lust intensified; this was the first "Persian cat" he'd ever played with.

Without further hesitation, he unleashed all the techniques he'd honed with women.

Maria, a budding young girl, was no match for Zhang Yang, a seasoned "general." Every sensitive spot on her body was constantly being explored by Zhang Yang; she felt her nipples and her hidden clitoris being simultaneously violated. Suddenly, she felt him sucking on her sensitive earlobe, and a wave of weakness washed over her.

The pure and innocent Maria could not withstand such violation.

Soon, she could no longer suppress her moans,

her breasts becoming even more erect, heaving violently with each breath. Her lower body was already soaked.

"Your Majesty, I can't take it anymore. Give it to me quickly."

"Oh, then I'll satisfy you."

The Persian cat was still quite attractive to Zhang Yang. He had endured so much to tease her, and he couldn't hold back any longer. He quickly took off his clothes and was about to mount her.

"Ah!"

Another girl caught a glimpse of the ferocious dragon between Zhang Yang's legs and couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.

Maria curiously opened her eyes and saw the enormous dragon. She also covered her lower body, fearing that the dragon would suddenly rush in.

Seeing this, Zhang Yang laughed, "Don't be afraid. You'll know how wonderful it is once you've tasted it."

Maria asked doubtfully, "It's so big, how can it fit?"

Zhang Yang proudly laughed, "The bigger the better, of course. Look at her expression."

Seeing the woman's delighted face, Maria believed him a little and said tremblingly, "I'm still a little scared. Please be gentle with me, Your Majesty."

Zhang Yang said tenderly, "You are so beautiful, how could I bear to hurt you? It's alright, it will only hurt for a moment. Once you've tasted the pleasure, you'll crave it. Then, if I don't favor you for a night, you won't be able to sleep."

Maria was bewitched and moved her soft hand away. Seeing that there was no longer any obstruction to the peach blossom cave, Zhang Yang mounted her and thrust his hips forward.

"Ah!"

Maria encountered the dragon for the first time, which was both lucky and tragic. She screamed and almost fainted.

Zhang Yang had no choice but to caress her again, and only began to move gently after she had adjusted.

Maria was initially in excruciating pain and just wanted to finish quickly. But as Zhang Yang continued his movements, she felt a fulfillment she had never experienced before, and couldn't help but let out moans of pleasure.

"So this is what lovemaking is like...so...comfortable."

Later, she involuntarily turned from passive to active, arching her back and thrusting her hips.

Zhang Yang's blissful sex life had just begun, but unfortunately, although Europeans have slightly better stamina than Han Chinese, they couldn't withstand the torment of someone like Zhang Yang. Just

as Zhang Yang was enjoying himself immensely, Maria cried out and fainted. He had no choice but to pull over the woman who was already ready for the next round and release his pent-up desire. Although there was a young girl nearby, he had no interest in deflowering her at this moment.

Women had this advantage: although they weren't pure, they didn't require the same effort as virgins, and their bodies were already fully developed, making them more alluring than young girls.

The next day, Zhang Yang woke up and saw the young girl he hadn't slept with the previous night, tears still streaming down her face in her dreams. He felt a pang of heartache.

She had left the person there herself, yet she had witnessed two erotic scenes without receiving a single drop of affection; her grievances were understandable.

He gently licked the glistening tears from her face. The girl felt a tickle on her cheek, opened her eyes, and saw Zhang Yang's loving gaze. Feeling that he had seen through her thoughts, she blushed and nestled into Zhang Yang's arms.

Zhang Yang's first morning at the Potala Palace was spent amidst the girl's moans.

Chapter 155: Once the Samye Monastery

was ablaze, the war was not so easily ended. As the sun rose halfway up the mountain, a limp Maria walked out.

Zhang Yang looked at Maria, whose face was still flushed with desire, and teased, "How was it?"

Maria met Zhang Yang's mischievous gaze, blushed, and whispered, "It was alright, but in the very first moment, I felt like you were going to tear me apart..."

Zhang Yang laughed, "You should be proud; the pain proves your purity."

Maria pouted and said, "At first you said you'd cherish me, but later you practically wanted me dead..."

"But that's what you asked for." "

Qiongbo Nanjue requests an audience."

Just as Zhang Yang was chatting and laughing with Maria, a sudden announcement came from outside.

"Your Majesty is busy, I'll excuse myself." Maria, hearing this, immediately tried to leave.

Zhang Yang pinched Maria's plump buttocks and laughed, "What could he possibly want? You don't need to excuse yourself."

Qiongbo Nanjue entered the room and, seeing the Emperor intimately embracing Maria, was secretly pleased. After paying his respects, he asked, "Is Your Majesty satisfied with everything at the Potala Palace?"

Zhang Yang, with one hand gently caressing Maria's plump buttocks, smiled knowingly, "The Potala Palace is a wonderful place, I'm very satisfied."

Qiongbo Nanjue noticed Maria's body constantly swaying slightly and knew the Emperor was pleased with her. After exchanging pleasantries, he told Zhang Yang about Tibetan customs and culture.

Hearing him mention that various sects within Tantric Buddhism each had their own separatist forces, Zhang Yang asked, "Will these sects resist our army?"

"If His Majesty can be lenient with the surrendered sects, they naturally won't dare oppose the Celestial Empire's army. However, if the steppe cavalry attacks a city, they fear being massacred after surrendering it, so they certainly won't surrender without resistance. I think some sects with the strength to defend their cities will probably beg His Majesty's pardon before surrendering."

"Oh? Then tell me, which cities near Lhasa can withstand the steppe cavalry?"

Qiongbo Nanjue, after beating around the bush for a while, finally saw Zhang Yang get to the point. He then calmly replied, "Most of the troops near Lhasa have fled with the Yima party. If any city is holding out, it's most likely Sangye (Naidong)."

"Are there any sects in Sangye?"

"Samye Monastery in Sangye is known as the first monastery in Tibet and a holy site for various sects. It has a history of 360 years. The site was personally selected by the Indian monk Padmasambhava, designed by Shantarakshita, and built under the supervision of Trisong Detsen, a descendant of Songtsen Gampo. After its completion, Trisong Detsen invited monks from India, Central China, and Khotan to reside in the monastery to preach and spread Buddhism. Later, he ordained seven noble sons as monks to study Buddhism. After completing their studies, they became the resident monks of Samye Monastery, known as the Seven Enlightened Ones of Samye. As a result, Sangye has become a holy site for various sects of Tantric Buddhism. The steppe cavalry are bloodthirsty and brutal, and Sangye is unlikely to surrender easily. If Your Majesty can pardon Sangye, you can certainly make various sects work for you."

Although Zhang Yang did not allow various sects to preach, he did not want to force them to revolt at this time. He smiled and said, "Since there is such a good place, then come with me to Sangye to see it."

Qiongbo Nanjue said so much in order to make Zhang Yang realize the importance of Sangye. Zhang Yang would then likely appoint a relatively trusted person to preside over Samye Monastery. Having just entered Tibet and surrendered to the Tantric sect, who else besides him would be qualified to oversee a monastery? Samye Monastery was the foremost monastery in Tibet; in his eyes, even the Potala Palace might not compare. However, he was unaware that in another timeline, some of his younger lamas had successfully seized control of the Potala Palace and wielded power in Tibet.

Zhang Yang asked, "How far is Samye from here?"

"About two hundred li."

"Oh, then let's set off now; we should arrive by evening."

Qiongbo Nanjue, hearing that Zhang Yang seemed intent on heading straight for Samye and intending to arrive before nightfall, hurriedly said, "Your Majesty needn't be in such a rush. Samye Monastery has many Blissful Buddhas. Several are quite proficient in Blissful Meditation. Why doesn't Your Majesty take Maria and the others with you?"

Although Qiongbo Nanjue could ride a horse, he dared not travel nearly two hundred li; after several dozen li, his backside would likely be sore.

“Oh? Then let’s slow down. Just have them order the tribes attacking Sangye not to attack.”

Although Zhang Yang wasn’t interested in Tantric Buddhism, he was curious about the Joyful Zen.

Most of the inhabitants of Lhasa had already been coerced and forced to flee by the Yima Party. The four major tribes had captured Lhasa but hadn’t gained much. Naturally, they were unwilling to give up, and with Zhang Yang’s pardon in place, they quickly divided their forces to attack nearby cities.

Sangye was located more than a hundred miles southeast of Lhasa, precisely the direction chosen by the Mongol tribes. The nearly two hundred miles journey was covered by the Mongol cavalry in just one day, and they arrived at the walls of Sangye that very night. Sangye

’s steadfast defense surprised them, but it also delighted them. The defense meant that the people inside were still there; once they captured the city, they could seize a large amount of wealth. The well-equipped Mongol tribes didn’t even consider asking Lhasa for help. That night, they besieged the city, preparing to attack it themselves the next day. They didn’t believe that a small Tibetan city could stop them.

However, Zhang Yang's decree that evening shattered their dreams of riches, only allowing them to return to their ranks two days later. The Mongol tribe was overjoyed at this order; one more day meant they could plunder one more city. The next day, at the crack of dawn, the Mongol tribe marched on their next city.

After arriving in Sangye, Zhang Yang led his troops straight to Samye Monastery.

Samye Monastery was now controlled by the Nyingma school, the oldest branch of Tibetan Buddhism. The abbot, Drolpa, upon hearing of the Emperor's arrival, led a group of lamas to greet him outside the monastery.

Samye Monastery was vast, with numerous halls and pagodas, forming a large and complete architectural complex centered around the "Utse" main hall. The main hall faced east, was three stories high, and had a unique and distinctive style, serving as the heart of Samye Monastery. Each floor of the main hall had its own style; the ground floor was Tibetan style, surrounded by circumambulation corridors. The murals were exquisite, vivid, and ancient. The middle level is in the Han style, while the top level is in the Indian style, hence the name "Three Styles Temple".

As Zhuopuba led Zhang Yang into the temple, he explained, "The layout of Samye Monastery is designed according to the structure of the great chiliocosm in Buddhist scriptures, and it is built according to the mandala of Tantric Buddhism: the main hall represents Mount Sumeru, the center of the world; the four halls surrounding the main hall represent the four continents and eight subcontinents in the four oceans; the Sun and Moon Halls symbolize the Sun and Moon Palaces in the universe; the temple walls symbolize the Iron Mountain surrounding the world; the four pagodas—red, white, green, and black—around the main hall subdue all evil spirits and prevent natural and man-made disasters." (

Chapter
156: The True Meaning of Joyful Meditation)

Zhuopuba was born into a prominent Nyingma family; his father was a Nyingma practitioner named Sur, and he had mastered the Nyingma school's "Dzogchen" teachings from a young age. While leading Zhang Yang on a tour of the monastery, Maria recounted various Buddhist and Tantric stories, speaking with great enthusiasm. However, Zhang Yang showed no interest whatsoever, only Maria listened with rapt attention.

The tour of Samye Monastery was nearing its end, but they hadn't seen the Blissful Buddha that Kyungpo Namgyal had mentioned.

Kyungpo Namgyal, of course, didn't want Zhang Yang to misunderstand. Seeing that they had arrived at the rear monastery, he said, "I've heard that Drokpa's disciple, Tsangpa Gedun, is quite knowledgeable in Blissful Meditation. Let's go and visit him."

Drokpa saw Zhang Yang nod slightly and led the group to a side hall of the rear monastery.

It was unclear whether this was to conceal something or to take the opportunity to propagate Buddhism.

As Zhuopuba walked, he explained, “Tantra is also called Tantric Buddhism. The word 'tan' in Tantra originally means fertility. Its doctrines include the reproductive beliefs of the original Tibetan religion, as well as the doctrines of the Shakti (pleasure) school of Indian Buddhism. There is a legend in Indian Tantric Buddhism: King Vinayaka, who worshipped Brahmanism, was cruel and loved to kill Buddhists. Shakyamuni sent Avalokiteshvara to convert him. Avalokiteshvara tried various methods but could not subdue him. In desperation, she transformed into a beautiful woman and made love with Vinayaka. In Avalokiteshvara's warm embrace, Vinayaka instantly dissolved all evil, his heart was filled with love, and he finally converted to Buddhism, becoming the principal deity among the Vajras on the altar…”

"In Tantric Buddhism, the transcendent wisdom of the other shore, 'Prajna,' represents the creative vitality of women, while another practice, 'Skillful Means,' represents the creative vitality of men, symbolized respectively by the lotus flower representing the female genitalia and the vajra pestle representing the male phallus. Through the imagined union of yin and yang and the actual sexual intercourse of men and women in yoga, one can personally experience the blissful state of Nirvana where 'Prajna' and 'Skillful Means' are integrated. This is the religious meaning of the Yab-Yum Buddha, which is unique to Tantric Buddhism, and not all Tantric temples enshrine it."

As the group reached the entrance of the side hall, a middle-aged lama, disheveled, came out to greet them.

Upon seeing his disciple's expression, Zhuopupa knew he had once again secretly practiced the Joyful Meditation. Zhuopupa was quite fond of this gifted disciple; after only a dozen years of study, he had mastered various schools of Buddhism, but he was somewhat obsessed with the Joyful Meditation, even setting aside a side hall for his practice. If it weren't for his considerable knowledge of Buddhism and the large number of followers among the local chieftains, Zhuopupa would have long ago demoted him. Zhuopupa

glared at his disciple and reminded him, "His Majesty is somewhat interested in the Joyful Buddha; you should accompany him on a tour of your Joyful Hall."

Zangba.::Jidun, surprised that the Emperor would visit his Joyful Hall, replied with a sense of honor, "Zangba.::Jidun greets His Majesty; this way, please."

Upon entering the hall, Zhang Yang saw a unique golden Buddha statue. Unlike ordinary single-figure Buddhas, it was a double Buddha, facing each other and embracing, fused into one—the Wisdom King and Wisdom Consort.

Even more lewdly, this dual-bodied Buddha statue depicts a deity and his consort in a sexually intertwined position on a lotus throne. The deity wears a flaming crown, has six arms, and is barefoot. Four of his arms hold ritual implements: his right upper arm holds a sword, his lower right hand forms a mudra, his left upper arm holds a double-sided drum, his left lower arm holds a skull bead, his left middle arm holds a bowl, and his right middle arm holds a vajra. Both arms embrace the consort. The consort faces the deity, holding a vajra in her right hand and a bowl in her left. Both are naked, and unlike the ethereal image of Avalokiteshvara, the consort possesses distinctly female characteristics. Her right leg is draped over the male Buddha's leg, while her left leg is spread out and raised, displaying extreme seduction. The deity's face is ferocious, revealing the malevolence of a demon.

The entire statue depicts the Buddhist practice of sacrificing oneself to feed a demon, albeit through somewhat despicable means.

Seeing the astonished expressions on everyone's faces, Zangba::Jidun laughed and said, "The Blissful Buddha is both a tool and an opportunity to cultivate Buddha-nature. The Buddha said: 'Form is emptiness, emptiness is form; form is not different from emptiness, emptiness is not different from form.' But to see beauty as a skeleton is not something an ordinary person can do. Blissful meditation utilizes the union of emptiness and bliss to generate enlightenment, achieving the goal of controlling desire with desire. To cultivate the mind, one must focus on the object of meditation, contemplating the form of the Blissful Buddha, gradually becoming accustomed to it, less surprised by its appearance, and the desires will naturally disappear. The fierce face of the Vidyaraja is not only used to frighten away external demons, but more importantly, it can be used to deal with oneself, to deal with inner demons." The seemingly cruel and powerful deity, united with the enchanting and alluring consort, is an indispensable partner in the deity's spiritual practice. Her role in this practice, in Buddhist scriptures, is described as first enticing with desire, then leading to Buddhist wisdom. She offers love and desire to those cruel gods and demons, influencing them, and then guiding them to the realm of Buddhahood. Unlike other schools that advocate non-existence, Esoteric Buddhism affirms the existence of the real world. Based on this affirmation of all things, Esoteric Buddhism believes that the union of Yin and Yang is the cause of the creation of all things in the universe and the ultimate liberation of religion. The Deity of Joy

is a deity in Esoteric Buddhism.

"In the Esoteric Buddhist scriptures, the *Mahavairocana Sutra* and the *Vajrasekhara Sutra*, women are offered as sacrifices. It is believed that all things in the universe are created and propagated by the sexual power of the goddess. The woman in the dual-body practice is an incarnation of a Buddha or Bodhisattva, a goddess who has attained enlightenment through spiritual practice." The practice of dual-body meditation is a profound mystery of mental cultivation in esoteric Buddhism. At higher levels of practice, a goddess is required for dual-body meditation. This practice visualizes the Buddhist principles of compassion and wisdom, achieving spiritualization through intention. "

The teachings of 'Joyful Meditation' are largely derived from the Indian Tantric school. Unlike other schools, it is a system of action. It also seeks liberation, but not in the afterlife, but in this life. It does not prohibit the abstinence from worldly pleasures but encourages the exploration of sensual enjoyment and spiritual experiences. The Tantric school particularly emphasizes sexual energy and ritualistic practices, believing that sex is the greatest creative energy. Through lovemaking, the creative energy in the human soul and body can be stimulated, merging with the great energy of the heavens and earth to reach the highest spiritual state. Therefore, they directly regard lovemaking itself as a religious ritual, enabling men and women to communicate with the divine during lovemaking. This ritual is called 'Wheel of Jewels Offering.' It is performed at midnight by several married or unmarried couples, involving five kinds of pleasure. The first four are fish, meat, wine, grains, and food; the last is lovemaking." Before engaging in sexual intercourse, meditation and other preparations are necessary, followed by a period of foreplay. Then, various positions are used for intercourse, where the man and woman merge into one in bliss, experiencing the unity of their individual souls with the souls of heaven and earth. The Yama (or Vajrayana ) is one form of this great bliss.

After listening to all this, Zhang Yang finally understood. Those doctrines were simply giving sexual intercourse a religious veneer, much like how some criminals in later generations always try to find legal pretenses for themselves. The theory of Shakti (the spiritual practice of yoga) is simply an attempt to prove the long history of this activity.

To put it bluntly, Yama meditation is the sexual intercourse of lamas. The numerous doctrines they created might just be an attempt to deceive ignorant believers into sacrificing themselves for the Buddha, while the lamas are undoubtedly the incarnations of Buddhas on earth.

Next to a genuine Yama meditation image, there are also some Tibetan Buddhist images, mostly depicting couples in various sexual positions, just like the Yama meditation images.

After Kyungpo Namgyal adopted Maria, he also explained Yama meditation to her in order to help her better complete her future tasks.

Maria had only ever seen authentic Bodhi Buddha statues, never imagining there were so many lewd ones. She felt she hadn't used nearly as many positions in the past few days.

The lewd and obscene poses made Maria blush, but the newfound pleasure made her steal glances.

Zangba::Gidun, that lecherous devil, had already noticed Maria's dignified beauty and dared not look directly at her. A fleeting glimpse of Maria's shy and timid appearance instantly ignited his wicked gaze, and he kept stealing glances at her.

"Ahem."

Zhang Yang, noticing Zangba::Gidun's expression, cleared his throat and coldly asked, "Is this all there is in the Hall of Bliss?"

Feeling guilty, Zangba::Gidun, meeting Zhang Yang's cold gaze, quickly suppressed his lewd thoughts and replied without hesitation, "There are some Indian utensils in the inner chamber. Your Majesty may take a look if you are interested."

He even gestured for him to proceed.

"Ah."

Zhang Yang, embracing Maria, entered the inner room pointed to by Zangba::Kidun. There were two young girls with their hair disheveled, and two others tied in a spread-eagle position to bow-shaped chairs, their naked private parts exposed before his eyes. There were also some utensils on the ground, judging from their shape, they were for aphrodisiac purposes, but they looked somewhat perverted

. The surrounding walls were also covered with various sexual positions, some of which Zhang Yang, who had seen many AVs, had never seen before.

"You beast, is this the practice of the Joyful Meditation?" Zhuopuba shouted angrily upon seeing this. Zhang Yang,

however, was unconcerned. How could he not know what his disciple was doing? He was just putting on an act now that it was exposed before him.

At this point, Zhang Yang understood that the Joyful Meditation was something some people used to deceive believers into doing those lewd things.

Chapter 157 Chrysanthemum Gathering

From the moment Zhang Yang and his group arrived at Samye Monastery, the Joyful Hall was occupied by Zhang Yang. He was like a practitioner of the Joyful Meditation, spending his days indulging in debauchery without ever leaving the room, with servants bringing him his meals. The three women Zhang Yang brought weren't enough, so he even had two devout followers from the Nyingma school choose to serve him.

Many people assumed Zhang Yang was indulging in endless pleasure, and most of the monks in the temple were praying that he would die from exhaustion, on a woman's belly, so that Tibet could break free from the control of the Celestial Empire.

Meanwhile, Zangba::Jidun secretly lamented the loss of his own "instruments"—those precious treasures he had painstakingly crafted. Although Zhang Yang hadn't demanded his female companions, without them to enhance his pleasure, he felt further away from the true essence of blissful meditation. Several times he mustered the courage to ask for some of these treasures, but he was stopped by the Imperial Guards as soon as he reached the temple gates. Unable to see the Celestial Emperor, Zangba::Jidun could only pray that he would leave soon.

While everyone imagined the debauched scene inside the hall, the scene inside was quite different.

Maria repeated it in Latin, then explained in Chinese: "This means: After making love, animals feel sorrow, except for women and roosters. It's an old Latin proverb."

Latin was originally a dialect of the Latium region in central Italy. Later, the Roman Empire, originating in Latium, unified Europe, and Latin became the common language of Europe. Although the Roman Empire has since fragmented and declined, and the remaining Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine Empire) has also greatly weakened, Latin has been promoted by Christianity, thus remaining a common language in Europe.

In fact, Zhang Yang has spent most of his time at Samye Monastery studying Latin these past few days. Because of his photographic memory after his transformation, Maria was utterly astonished by Zhang Yang's progress, completely falling at his feet.

"You little slut, you're in heat again, teach me this proverb."

Zhang Yang hugged Maria, kneading her even more prominent breasts. In just over ten days of nurturing, Maria's breasts had grown larger.

Maria swayed her plump hips.

Rubbing against Zhang Yang's lower body, she said in a coquettish voice, "Yes, the Emperor hasn't favored me yet today. The Emperor is a god descended to earth. He has a photographic memory; he'll learn all those Latin words in a few days. Now, take me first."

What a lewd race! These Western women, though not as lewd as the perverts on that small island, still have great potential as sex slaves. It's just that they are naturally larger-framed, and their lower bodies are not as tight as those of Eastern women. After a few uses, they become even looser. Although Zhang Yang was well-endowed, he missed out on a lot of pleasure. In his later years, when Zhang Yang saw two Western men simultaneously entering and exiting the peach blossom cave of Western women in some Western "art films," he was somewhat incredulous. But after personally experiencing Maria's sexuality, it wasn't surprising. With a little training, probably every Western woman could do it.

Maybe today he should teach her to sing "The Flower of the Back Garden."

Zhang Yang thought wickedly, taking off Maria's clothes, and two elastic, large breasts eagerly jumped out.

Zhang Yang grabbed one breast with each hand and kneaded it. His other hand had already slid down to Maria's lower body.

Maria, however, was focused on undressing Zhang Yang. As soon as she finished, she grasped Zhang Yang's enormous dragon with one hand. At the same time, she lifted her round, snow-white buttocks and sat down.

"Oh, you've hit my heart!"

The moment the dragon's head entered, Zhang Yang mischievously thrust hard, making Maria's eyes roll back, and it took her a long time to recover.

After a series of ups and downs, Maria cried out and slumped into Zhang Yang's arms, weakly saying, "Let them serve you, I can't take it anymore."

Zhang Yang stroked Maria's plump buttocks and laughed, "I'm in the middle of something, and you're trying to run away at the last minute? You have no sense of propriety."

"I really can't take it anymore. I've been seeking pleasure every day these past few days, and my lower body still hurts. Let me rest."

Zhang Yang suddenly thrust his fingers into her anus and laughed, "It hurts in the front, but it shouldn't hurt here, right?"

"No... don't put it there... let's do it in the front..."

Maria didn't expect the emperor to be interested in her anus, and she couldn't help but shudder. Such a magnificent dragon, if it were inserted into her anus, wouldn't it burst?

"Actually, it feels good in the back too, it won't hurt."

Zhang Yang coaxed her while constantly moving his fingers around her anus.

"But yours is so big, and my anus is so small."

Maria was still somewhat afraid and unwilling to give in easily.

Zhang Yang pretended to pick up Maria, coldly saying, "Since you're unwilling, then forget it. I'll go find them. I thought you'd do anything for me."

Maria now regarded Zhang Yang as a god. Seeing his cold expression, she quickly held him down, gritting her teeth, "No, I'll try, but you have to let me do it."

Maria moistened her anus with honey, then gritted her teeth and slowly rubbed the egg-sized dragon head towards her tight anus. But the dragon head was too big, and she couldn't get it in.

"Ah...it hurts...wait a minute..."

Seeing that she hadn't succeeded after a long time, Maria was afraid that the emperor would get impatient, so she gritted her teeth, sat down hard with her plump buttocks, and just as she swallowed the dragon head, she felt a burning pain coming from her anus. Maria's face turned pale, and her whole body twisted violently like a dying fish, but she was unwilling to give up halfway.

Zhang Yang, however, was also uncomfortable from the tight and hot rectum, and wanted to thrust hard, but seeing Maria's pale face, he had no choice but to endure it.

Maria paused for a moment, then with a sudden thud, swallowed the entire dragon into her burning rectum.

"Ah!"

"Bear with it, you'll get used to it."

Maria screamed in agony, feeling as if a red-hot iron rod had been thrust into her. She tried to jump up, but Zhang Yang held her down.

After a while, the two gradually reached their peak, playing with great intensity.

Just as Zhang Yang was enjoying himself, he heard Wu Song shout from outside the palace, "Your Majesty, this humble general has something to report."

"Wait, I'll be right out."

Zhang Yang knew that Wu Song wouldn't bother him unless it was something important, so he thrust a few more times, put Maria down, and dressed before coming out.

Chapter 158 An Awkward Misunderstanding

As soon as Zhang Yang opened the door, Wu Song rushed forward, saying, "Your Majesty, the imperial entourage heading to Naxue was ambushed by the Tibetans. All our officials and escorting troops have been killed."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yang's face contorted with rage, and he demanded sharply, "What? There are still Tibetans so brazen? Weren't the Tibetan troops in Naxue wiped out? Which tribe besieged Naxue?"

After five days of free movement for the steppe cavalry, Zhang Yang had ordered them to cease their unprovoked attacks. Furthermore, with the imperial officials and troops gradually entering Tibet, the cities were slowly being brought under imperial rule.

Zhang Yang had assumed Tibet had no further resistance, but this unexpected incident had occurred. The troops sent to each city were at least a thousand strong, and with the officials and their families, the numbers were considerable, yet they had all been killed.

Although he frequently ordered his steppe cavalry to massacre entire cities, it was all to make room for the Han people. He wasn't inherently bloodthirsty, especially towards his own people, whom he deeply cared for. This is why, during the civil war, he repeatedly disregarded his own status to assassinate enemy generals, unifying the Central Plains with minimal casualties. Afterwards, when conquering various states and relocating their people, he provided them with generous conditions, wanting to improve the lives of his compatriots.

The relocations of the Yue-Li Kingdom and the Western Xia went smoothly, leading Zhang Yang to lower his guard. He never expected such a tragedy to occur. He couldn't tolerate that his orders had resulted in the deaths of over a thousand of his compatriots in a foreign land.

Seeing the emperor's reaction, Wu Song felt a surge of joy. This was the emperor he knew. Although he had indulged in some debauchery these past few days, he hadn't forgotten his responsibilities.

"Naxue was wiped out by a coalition of several small tribes on our way here. It was probably done by some captured Tu tribesmen outside the city. The terrain of Tibet is complex, and many Tu tribes occupying various places are quite powerful. I believe we should quickly capture and execute the murderers to deter others, otherwise other cities may follow suit, and even Ningxia Road may be thrown into turmoil."

After years of experience, Wu Song was no longer the reckless man who only knew how to shout and kill.

Zhang Yang thought for a moment. He said in a deep voice, "Issue my decree: the Naiman tribe is responsible for investigating Naxue's murder of court officials."

"Let the Naiman tribe investigate?"

Wu Song thought he had misheard and asked incredulously. He knew all too well what kind of people those grassland tribes were. They could kill people, but investigating them would be impossible; even if they were all tied up, they wouldn't be able to piece together a single clue.

Zhang Yang looked at Wu Song and said firmly, "Yes, tell them: better to kill a thousand innocent people than let one guilty person go free. Search the entire area within three hundred li of Naxue, and do not let a single rebel escape."

Wu Song met Zhang Yang's fierce gaze. He knew Zhang Yang was going to use ruthless methods to intimidate the foreign tribes. "Better to kill a thousand innocent people than let one guilty person go free." The Emperor's words were cruel enough; sending the Naiman tribe on this mission would likely turn Naxue City into a ghost town after the investigation. Truly, the Emperor's wrath could cause rivers of blood.

A chill only flashed through Wu Song's heart, vanishing instantly, without any sympathy for the Tibetans. It wasn't because Wu Song was bloodthirsty, but because the foreign tribes had brought too much calamity to the Central Plains. Countless people had fallen under their blades; the foreign tribes' brutality was infamous.

While previous dynasties had mostly treated them with leniency, in the hearts of the warriors, they admired the methods of Huo Qubing and Wei Qing. Only when they were terrified would they behave. Benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trustworthiness were meaningless to them.

"Alright, if there's nothing else, go and relay the order," Zhang Yang instructed before turning to return to the palace.

Seeing this, Wu Song hurriedly called out, "Your Majesty."

Zhang Yang turned around and asked, "Is there anything else?"

Wu Song hesitated for a moment, then said, "Shouldn't we return to Lhasa? That's the political center of Tibet. Without Your Majesty's presence, the Tibetans might still harbor rebellious intentions."

"No need," Zhang Yang replied, "this is the religious center of Tibet. As long as we control the various factions, Tibet won't be able to cause any major trouble. Is there anything else?" Wu Song

was taken aback when he saw that Zhang Yang seemed eager for him to take his leave; this was something that had never happened before. Recalling the faint sounds he had heard outside, he hesitated.

Should he speak or not?

Seeing Wu Song's hesitant expression, Zhang Yang stepped forward, patted Wu Song's shoulder, and smiled, "Second Brother, what's the matter? I've always considered you a brother. Just tell me what's on your mind."

Wu Song was the second oldest son in his family, and some close friends also called him Second Brother. Upon hearing the Emperor address him as Erlang, Wu Song disregarded all pretense and solemnly declared, “In the past, when I was down on my luck, Your Majesty always honored me. Even after the founding of the nation, though Your Majesty became the supreme ruler, Your Majesty has always treated me as a brother. I will never forget Your Majesty's kindness. At Your Majesty's command, I would brave mountains of knives and seas of fire without flinching, and I believe all of you brothers feel the same way. Therefore, we brothers never question Your Majesty's orders, and Your Majesty has never made a mistake. But today, I have some things I must say.”

Seeing Wu Song speaking so earnestly, as if he himself had made a mistake, Zhang Yang quickly said, “Oh? What mistake have I made? Erlang, just speak frankly. Why should we brothers have so many reservations? If you keep quiet, you are betraying our brotherhood.”

“Then Wu Song will be too presumptuous. Since His Majesty raised his army, he has collected many beauties. Every time he conquers a country, his harem is filled with more concubines. Although His Majesty is no ordinary man, lust is a cruel mistress, and he cannot withstand the temptation of so many women. Such endless revelry would be too much even for a man of iron. Wu Song is waiting for His Majesty to take his brothers to the ends of the earth. I urge His Majesty to reconsider.”

Zhang Yang was taken aback upon hearing this and laughed, “What Erlang says is true. I must exercise some restraint. However, I do not indulge in endless revelry in the palace. I spend most of my time there studying Latin.” "It won't be long before I can take you to see Europe, and then Latin will come in handy."

Upon hearing this, Wu Song blushed and said awkwardly, "It was a misunderstanding, Your Majesty. Please punish me."

Although he was in charge of the defense of the Hall of Joy, there were no side rooms there, so he lived elsewhere. Knowing what kind of place the Hall of Joy was, he naturally wouldn't eavesdrop on the Emperor's conversation without being summoned. He simply assumed the Emperor was amusing himself, and the sounds he heard earlier only reinforced his belief, hence the misunderstanding.

"Speaking frankly is no crime. In the future, if I make any mistakes, you'll have to tell me. Alright, go and give the order."

Chapter 159: Night Talk in the Liao Court

. "Ah."

Yelü Chun sighed again, listening to the howling night wind outside the window.

"Your Majesty, you will get better." "Consort Xiao nestled against Yelü Chun's chest like a kitten, comforting him.

Compared to the already frail and aged Yelü Chun, who was over sixty, Consort Xiao was only in her thirties, beautiful and charming, her every smile and gesture envied even the most beautiful birds. It was no wonder that she could win Yelü Chun's heart, especially since she came from the Xiao clan of the Liao Dynasty. After the founding of the Liao Dynasty, the clan produced many empresses, and was known as the Imperial Uncle's Clan. Although the family had suffered some setbacks because of the Xiao Fengxian case, its influence was still considerable.

"Alas, the Emperor of the Celestial Dynasty has already led his steppe cavalry into Tibet. I'm afraid it won't be long before Tibet ceases to exist, and then the Celestial Dynasty will probably turn its attention to us." "Yelü Chun stammered.

Seeing Yelü Chun's fearful expression, Consort Xiao, though still outwardly docile, felt a deep disgust and lowered her head, refusing to look at his pathetic state.

Over a decade ago, in the prime of her youth, she was arranged by her family to marry Yelü Chun, who was already over forty at the time. Initially, although she felt somewhat wronged, she wasn't entirely resistant. Born into a prominent family, she was destined to live for the family's interests. Compared to the other incompetent members of the royal family, Yelü Chun possessed considerable prestige. Although he was distrusted and exiled by the deposed Emperor Yelü Yanxi, he had achieved much in the provinces, completely different from the pleasure-seeking members of the royal family in the capital, and enjoyed considerable renown throughout the Liao Kingdom.

Life with the talented and capable Yelü Chun was happy, despite their significant age difference.

But what made Xiao..." What saddened Consort De was that within a few years, Yelü Chun became cautious and hesitant. At first, it could be described as caution, but later it turned into timidity and cowardice. Especially after the rise of the Jin Dynasty, he lost all his former ambition. While he didn't flee at the first sign of trouble like Yelü Yanxi, he never considered launching an offensive. His attempts to recover lost territory were merely defensive, with plans to negotiate peace with the Jin. After being fooled by the Jin, he fled to Yanjing for refuge, becoming no different from Yelü Yanxi. If it weren't for Li Chuwen, Xiao Gan, and others deposing Yelü Yanxi and placing the imperial robe on him, he probably wouldn't have dared to even consider overthrowing the incompetent and foolish Yelü Yanxi.

Yelü Chun was no longer the shrewd and capable man he once was; now he was just a frail old man, even the thought of the Celestial Empire unifying the grasslands would frighten him into illness.

"My illness is probably incurable, but the Liao Dynasty cannot be without a ruler for a day. Who in the imperial clan do you think can become emperor?" Yelü Chun, unaware that his beloved concubine had long since lost all affection and respect for him, continued her incessant questioning.

Although the Liao Dynasty had been Sinicized for a century, they still retained many customs of their minority ethnic groups. They did not particularly reject women's participation in politics; often, after making love with their wives and concubines, they would discuss political affairs in bed.

Upon hearing this, Consort Xiao quickly covered Yelü Chun's mouth, saying, "Your Majesty is only slightly ill. You will recover in a few days. How can you say such discouraging things?"

Yelü Chun glanced at the youthful Consort Xiao, longing to press her down beneath him again. Unfortunately, he lacked the energy. Reluctantly, he kissed Consort Xiao's jade hand, took it in his own, and stroked it, sighing, "I know my own body. I'm afraid I won't make it this time. Sixty years old isn't considered premature. Once I'm in the underworld, I won't have to worry about state affairs anymore. Since becoming emperor, I've lived a more tiring life than at any other time in my life, yet the country is still riddled with problems."

Yelü Chun sighed, yet also said with relief, "I'm no good. I lack the civil and military achievements of the founding emperor. I can neither pacify the country nor expand its territory, but at least this country hasn't fallen into ruin under my rule." Seeing

that Yelü Chun was actually relieved that he hadn't become a ruler of a fallen nation, Consort Xiao felt even more sorrowful. How could such an emperor shoulder the responsibility of revitalizing the country? How could he protect her?

Perhaps he truly deserved to die.

Consort Xiao was startled by this fleeting thought and quickly shook her head, banishing the terrible idea from her mind.

"Who in the imperial clan do you think could become emperor?" Yelü Chun stroked Consort Xiao's jade-like hand, still so delicate and tender. His days of possessing her were numbered; he wondered who would benefit from her afterward.

Consort Xiao suddenly saw a heroic figure before her eyes, and the words "Prince Jin, Ao Lugan" almost slipped out, but she quickly realized her mistake.

"Such important matters of state are not something a woman like me should dare to speak of. I wonder which prince Your Majesty favors?"

Yelü Chun shook his head and said, "My ascension to the throne was never legitimate, and the throne is not secure. It would be inappropriate to pass the throne to my sons. Moreover, they have no prestige, and passing the throne to them would probably bring them disaster. It would be better to return the throne to Prince Xiangyin (Yelü Yanxi)." "

Prince Xiangyin is incompetent and has long lost popular support. If Your Majesty were to return the throne to him, it would probably be opposed by the ministers. It would be better to let Prince Jin, Ao Lugan, succeed to the throne. He is the son of Prince Xiangyin, and his succession is legitimate. He also has a long-standing reputation. Letting him succeed to the throne

would only lead to the division of the country. With his wisdom, he might even be able to revive the glory of our ancestors."

Yelü Chun was probably as heroic as Prince Jin, Ao Lugan, when he was young. If only she could have married Yelü Chun earlier.

Consort Xiao blushed slightly at her sudden thought.

What was wrong with her? Why was she always thinking about young men? Was it because it had been so long since she had…?

“Prince Jin, Ao Luwo? Do you have something going on with him? Speak!” Yelü Chun suddenly shouted sharply.

Consort Xiao was startled by Yelü Chun’s shout and didn’t dare to look up at him, afraid that he would see the lustful look on her face. She covered her face and wept, “I have only met him a few times, how could I have an affair? If Your Majesty suspects me, then I will have no choice but to prove my innocence with my death.” As

she spoke, she tried to get up.

Normally, Consort Xiao would have grabbed Yelü Chun and acted coquettishly, but today, in her anxiety, she acted like a little woman.

Yelü Chun, forgetting her personality, quickly pulled her back and said with a smile, "My dear consort, don't be

impatient. I was just joking with you. What do you think of Prince Jin, Aolugan?" Consort Xiao took the opportunity to pull her hand away from Yelü Chun's dry, withered fingers and said reproachfully, "Whoever you say it is, I don't know. I don't want you to accuse me of having an affair with someone else later."

Seeing that she was angry, Yelü Chun quickly stepped forward and hugged her, saying with a smile, "When Prince Jin, Aolugan, ascends the throne, you will be the Empress Dowager. How can you be so petty?"

Consort Xiao turned around, placing her withered hands on her breasts, and stared at Yelü Chun, saying, "You want me to be Empress Dowager?" Yelü

Chun honestly and unceremoniously enjoyed the soft flesh offered to her, weakly replying, "Yes, you come from the Imperial Uncle's family, so it's perfectly legitimate for you to be Empress Dowager. Perhaps you can achieve the same feats as Empress Dowager Chengtian, my darling, I have faith in you."

The Empress Dowager Chengtian that Yelü Chun referred to was a powerful woman of the Liao Dynasty, the well-known Empress Dowager Xiao, whose nickname was Yan Yan. She was the empress of Emperor Jingzong of Liao, Yelü Xian, and the daughter of Xiao Siwen, the Privy Councilor of the Northern Court and Prime Minister of the Northern Prefecture. Historically, she is known as "Empress Dowager Chengtian."

Born into the imperial family, Xiao Chuo's father, Xiao Siwen, was the nephew of Xiao Dilu (Empress Shulü's brother), the founding prime minister of the Liao Dynasty. Xiao Siwen served four emperors—Taizong, Shizong, Muzong, and Jingzong—holding a crucial position and having played a key role in Jingzong's ascension to the throne, wielding immense power. Her mother, Princess Yan, was the eldest daughter of Emperor Taizong, demonstrating Xiao Chuo's exceptionally distinguished and noble lineage.

After Emperor Jingzong ascended the throne, although ambitious for a better reign, his poor health from childhood meant he relied heavily on Xiao Chuo, in addition to Han and non-Han officials, for matters of state. Emperor Jingzong explicitly instructed his ministers that the empress's pronouncements should be addressed as "朕" (Zhen, meaning "I") or "与" (Yu, meaning "with"), establishing this as a law. This illustrates Xiao Chuo's authority.

After Emperor Jingzong's death, Emperor Shengzong ascended the throne, and Xiao Chuo was honored as Empress Dowager, acting as regent. At the time, Empress Xiao was only thirty years old, and Emperor Shengzong was only twelve. However, Xiao quickly stabilized the situation and led her troops south, slaughtering the Northern Song army and even capturing the famous general Yang Ye. A few years later, she forced Emperor Zhenzong to sign the traitorous Treaty of Chanyuan, forcing him to humiliatingly address her as his nephew. She was truly a woman of great talent and ability, but unfortunately, she was born at the wrong time. The Song Dynasty was not as corrupt as the late Ming Dynasty; otherwise, she might have unified the country. Even Empress Xiaozhuang would likely not be comparable to her.

Consort Xiao knew that Yelü Chun was referring to Xiao Yanyan's great achievements, but the first thing that came to her mind was Xiao Yanyan's romantic history. The Liao Dynasty did not shy away from discussing this elder's romantic experiences, and she was naturally very familiar with them.

In her youth, Xiao Yanyan was betrothed to the Han official Han Derang, but before they could marry, she was chosen as a concubine by Emperor Jingzong of Liao. After Emperor Jingzong's death, Xiao Yanyan decided to remarry Han Derang. This was permitted by the customs of the Khitan people. Thinking it over, she acted immediately. This iron-fisted empress dowager sent someone to poison Li, Han Derang's wife. From then on, Han Derang openly entered and left Xiao Yanyan's tent, living a de facto married life. Xiao Yanyan's son, Emperor Shengzong of Liao, treated Han Derang as a father and even gave him high-ranking positions and generous salaries. The ambiguity of this affair was not for outsiders to know.

She was truly happy; although she married the wrong person, she ultimately got what she wanted.

Xiao Yanyan suddenly felt envious of this ancestor of her tribe, a resolute look flashing across her face.

Chapter 160 A Powerful Remedy

"What? Yelü Yudu has defected to the grasslands, and the two thousand Jin soldiers who pursued him have been surrounded and annihilated by grassland tribes and the Heavenly Dynasty cavalry?"

Yelü Chun sat up abruptly in bed, staring at Li Chuwen, who had reported the news, and asked.

“Yes, the commander who ambushed the Jin pursuers was Hua Rong of the Celestial Dynasty. His 10,000 cavalrymen are the only organized cavalry force of the Celestial Dynasty. Hua Rong’s troops participated in previous campaigns against various countries, but this time they stayed on the grasslands, as if they were waiting specifically for Yelü Yudu. Moreover, without the permission of the Celestial Emperor, he might not have dared to harbor Yelü Yudu and annihilate the Jin pursuers.”

Li Chuwen said, while keeping an eye on Yelü Chun.

After being frightened by the news of the Celestial Dynasty’s unification of the grasslands, the old and frail Yelü Chun wanted to convene everyone to discuss the succession to the throne, but Li Chuwen dissuaded him.

Yelü Chun then entrusted the affairs of state to several ministers and focused on recuperation. After a period of recuperation, his complexion had improved significantly.

However, Li Chuwen did not want him to be healthy. This time, he came to the palace to give him some strong medicine.

As the saying goes, illness comes like a landslide, but recovery is like pulling silk. In addition, Yelü Chun is old and frail, so his illness will not go away as quickly as it appears. As long as he is given a strong medicine, Li Chuwen believes that he will most likely die.

Sure enough, upon hearing this, Yelü Chun's face turned ashen. He slumped onto the bed with a "thud," muttering, "Yes, yes, the Celestial Empire is planning to wage war against the north. Liao is finished, Liao is finished, Liao is finished..."

Seeing Yelü Chun staring blankly at the ceiling, motionless, only repeating "Liao is finished," as if possessed, Consort Xiao was terrified. She clung to him, crying, "Your Majesty, what's wrong? Don't frighten me!"

"Pfft!"

Startled by Consort Xiao's sudden attack, Yelü Chun coughed up blood. Consort Xiao, who was anxiously watching him, was immediately sprayed with the foul blood.

Realizing she had accidentally injured the Emperor, she slid off the bed in fright.

Yelü Chun coughed up blood, exhaling the stagnant air from his chest, but it seemed his life force had also been drained away with that blood. Weakly, he said, "I am dying. Summon Prince Aoluwo of Jin; I wish to pass the throne to him."

Li Chuwen hurriedly stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty is in the prime of life; this is merely a minor ailment. You will recover in a few days. There is no need to abdicate."

This time, Yelü Chun was determined to die. He shook his head and said, "I know my own body. I fear I will not survive this time. I do not wish to be a ruler who brings about the downfall of his kingdom. Quickly summon Prince Aoluwo of Jin."

Seeing that he was afraid of becoming a ruler who would bring about the downfall of his kingdom, Li Chuwen dared not directly object. After thinking for a moment, he said, "If Your Majesty wishes to abdicate, summoning only Prince Aoluwo of Jin may not be enough. For Prince Aoluwo to ascend the throne securely, he must have the support of his ministers."

Upon hearing this, Yelü Chun thought for a moment and said, "Then let us summon Xiao Gan and Yelü Dashi to attack together."

Seeing that Yelü Chun had fallen for the trap, Li Chuwen nodded and said, "Da Shi Lin Ya is still stationed in Zhongjing. Your Majesty should issue an edict to have him return, and then summon Prince Jin and Xiao Gan. However, the Jin Kingdom is still coveting Zhongjing. If they learn that there is no general guarding the city, they may take the opportunity to attack. In my opinion, it would be better to have Da Shi Lin Ya secretly enter the capital."

"You've thought this through. Let's do it this way. Order Yelü Da Shi to enter the capital immediately." Yelü Chun praised Li Chuwen, unaware of his treacherous intentions.

Seeing that Yelü Chun was already half-dead, Li Chuwen said, "Please rest, Your Majesty. I'll take my leave now."

Yelü Chun also felt that even speaking was difficult now, and nodded to let him leave.

Xiao Gan sat in his study, staring blankly at the green trees outside the window. He opened the books but did not read, prepared the brush and ink but did not write. He didn't drink the tea even when it was cold. He often sat there for half a day.

Recently, his servants often saw him sitting by the window, lost in thought. A few trusted confidants, mustering their courage, asked him why. Xiao Gan always said nothing was wrong.

Nothing wrong? Why sit like this every day? No one would believe him, but the servants dared not press him further.

Xiao Gan longed for someone to share his burden, but this burden couldn't be openly discussed. He couldn't very well tell people he feared the fall of his kingdom. That would only create panic, and a single misstep could cost him his life.

Ever since the fall of Western Xia, Xiao Gan had felt a sense of impending doom. The subsequent unification of the grasslands by the Celestial Empire only intensified this fear. Today, the news of Yelü Yudu's betrayal of the Jin Dynasty made him even more breathless; perhaps this was a sign of impending doom.

Outside the window, several small birds hopped on the lush old trees, a scene of vibrant life. Only the Liao Dynasty showed signs of decline, even though, with the weapons of the Celestial Empire, it had managed to withstand the Jin Dynasty's offensive. However, these weapons were acquired by emptying the national treasury and plundering the people. While they temporarily withstood the Jin invasion, they also shook the foundations of the Liao Dynasty. If the world consisted only of the Jin and Liao, given the Jin's barbarity and tyranny, the people would still choose the Liao. But in the south, there was a peaceful and prosperous Celestial Empire with light taxes and labor. The Liao had a large Han population, and even if the Celestial Empire didn't advance north, the Han people in Liao would likely rise up in rebellion. Purchasing weapons at high prices was merely a temporary measure; when the Celestial Empire marched north, the Han people would inevitably rush to join the rebellion. Although the Liao people were aware of this, they had no choice but to accept the Celestial Empire's offer, because without it, the Liao's demise was imminent. Although they knew it was merely prolonging their existence, they had to try.

However, now the Celestial Empire seemed unwilling to give them any more time. How could they, equipped with secondhand weapons from the Celestial Empire, withstand the invincible Celestial Army, especially with the addition of hundreds of thousands of fearless steppe cavalry?

Could it be that the Liao Dynasty, which had been established for a hundred years, was nearing its end?

Xiao Gan thought to himself, and couldn't help but sigh again.

Seeing the steward walking towards the study, he shook his head to clear his mind. After dismissing a few inquiries from his servants, he had received few visitors in the past few days.

"Lord Li Chuwen and Lord Huilibao request an audience,"

the steward said, bowing as he walked to the window.

Chapter 161 The Big Tree Falls

"Huilibao and Li Chuwen? Did they meet or come together?"

"According to the gatekeeper, they

came together." "Please invite them here,"

Xiao Gan said, rising to greet them outside the study.

Their residences weren't even in the same place, so how could they be traveling together?

Since Yelü Chun fell ill, he had entrusted state affairs to Yelü Yungu, Xiao Gan, Huilibao, and Li Chuwen.

Although Xiao Gan came from the emperor's maternal uncle's household and held the highest official position, he still dared not neglect these two.

Because Huilibao and Li Chuwen were the initiators of the support for Yelü Chun, they were deeply favored by him. Li Chuwen held the position of Vice Chancellor, while Huilibao was the Privy Councilor of the Northern Court and Commander-in-Chief of all armies, wielding considerable military power.

Although Xiao Gan still held the position of Prime Minister of the Northern Court, the Imperial Uncle's faction was heavily implicated in the Xiao Fengxian case, and Yelü Chun, while still relying on them, was inevitably wary. The most obvious change was the adjustment of military power. Since the founding of the Liao Dynasty, the royal family's royal court had been in charge of civil affairs, while the Imperial Uncle's faction controlled the military. However, Yelü Chun, using the Xiao Fengxian case, divided the military power of the Imperial Uncle's faction among the royal family's members, Yelü Yungu and Yelü Dashi.

Sensing Yelü Chun's wariness, Xiao Gan had to be cautious. He rarely left his residence and relied heavily on the other three to handle political affairs, demonstrating his keen understanding of self-preservation.

Before long, the steward brought Li Chuwen and Huilibao to the Liao court.

Xiao Gan invited the two men into the house. After exchanging polite greetings, he asked, "May I ask what brings you two gentlemen here?"

Upon hearing this, Hui Libao instinctively looked at Li Chuwen.

Xiao Gan, who was carefully observing the two, knew that Li Chuwen was the one leading the group, but his doubts deepened. Although Li Chuwen was favored by the new emperor, his official rank was not as high as Hui Libao's. Hui Libao, a military man, had always looked down on weak scholars. Among the four ministers, he was actually closer to Xiao Gan and Yelü Yungu. He wondered why Li Chuwen was with him today, and it seemed that Li Chuwen was in charge. Seeing that

the two men were looking at him, Li Chuwen also said, "May I ask what Lord Xiao thinks of Yelü Yudu's betrayal of the Jin and the Heavenly Dynasty's annihilation of the Jin's pursuing troops?"

Could it be that they were also working for the future of the country? He wondered if they had come up with any countermeasures.

Xiao Gan sighed. "It seems the Celestial Dynasty is preparing to wage war in the north," said

Li Chuwen. "It looks like we have to hurry up with peace talks with the Jin Dynasty. If the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold; the Jin Dynasty

probably won't dare to linger on the peace talks." Li Chuwen stared at Xiao Gan and said, "Even if we make peace with the Jin Dynasty, can we stop the Celestial Dynasty?" "Since the founding of our Great Liao Dynasty, we have rarely suffered defeats against the Southern Dynasties. Although the Celestial Dynasty is stronger than the Song Dynasty, it doesn't necessarily mean we'll have the upper hand,"

Xiao Gan said, avoiding Li Chuwen's gaze, his confidence somewhat lacking.

"Does Lord Xiao really think so? The Prince of Xiangyin experienced the Celestial Dynasty's power last year. Now, the Celestial Dynasty not only has more advanced firearms but also hundreds of thousands of new steppe wolf cavalry. Does our country really have a chance of winning?"

Li Chuwen pressed on, asking relentlessly.

Could it be that the Emperor sent him to test his loyalty?

Thinking it over, Xiao Gan said in an even more determined tone, "His Majesty is wise and mighty. Under his radiant light, we will surely defeat all invading enemies."

Seeing his expression, Li Chuwen knew he had misunderstood and shook his head, saying, "If His Majesty wanted to test you, he wouldn't have sent us together. Hui Libao and I are not here on His Majesty's orders, so please rest assured, sir."

Li Chuwen stated his position, and then dropped another bombshell.

"As you said, the Celestial Empire is indeed preparing for a northern expedition. The Prince of Dingbei has already organized 100,000 troops in Hebei, and Hua Rong has also gathered 100,000 cavalry on the grasslands. They will attack our country soon."

"What? The troops in Hebei have already been organized? And there are 100,000 grassland wolf cavalry?"

Xiao Gan's previous composure could no longer be maintained. He stood up abruptly, staring wide-eyed at Li Chuwen, his voice filled with barely concealed fear.

Li Chuwen nodded and said, "Yes, this is news I received from the Celestial Empire. The Celestial Empire's Northern Expedition is imminent. What worries me even more is that when I visited the palace just now, the Emperor's condition had worsened again. I'm afraid he won't make it this time. The Emperor has already secretly summoned Yelü Dashi back to the capital, preparing to abdicate in favor of Prince Jin, Aoluwo."

The series of bad news made even the robust Xiao Gan feel dizzy, and he swayed before regaining his balance. He asked, "I visited the Emperor a few days ago, and his health was improving. How come it has suddenly deteriorated again today?"

"I don't know. The Emperor has long lost his former vigor; perhaps he has caught a cold."

“Those damned lackeys! The Emperor is seriously ill, yet they didn’t even inform us. If it weren’t for Lord Li mentioning it, I would still be completely in the dark. Please forgive me, gentlemen. I will go and visit the Emperor now.”

Xiao Gan said, then got up and walked outside.

Li Chuwen gave Huilibao a look, grabbed Xiao Gan, and said in a deep voice, "To tell you the truth, I have received the Emperor's decree. As long as we surrender the city, we can continue to enjoy high-ranking positions and generous salaries."

Huilibao also stepped forward and grabbed Xiao Gan's arm, simultaneously sliding a dagger from his sleeve and pressing it against Xiao Gan's waist, saying in a deep voice, "Forgive me, Lord Xiao."

Xiao Gan, hearing that Li Chuwen had actually betrayed his country, was about to resist, but was restrained by Huilibao. He glared at Huilibao and said, "Li Chuwen is a Han Chinese. It doesn't matter if he betrays his country, but my Khitan people have taken good care of your Xi people, and the Emperor has also been very kind to you. Why are you also a traitor?"

Huilibao glared back at Xiao Gan and said, "Haven't your Khitan people done enough evil to our Xi people? Stealing our livestock and seizing our pastures. How can the grudges between our two tribes be covered up by some small benefits? Moreover, now that the Liao Dynasty is nearing its end, I have to consider my Xi people. Considering our shared history..." "Having worked together for so many years, if you simply say you're willing to submit to the Celestial Dynasty with us, I will never harm you."

Li Chuwen also said, "The Liao Dynasty's demise is inevitable. Why doesn't Lord Xiao consider the Emperor's brother-in-law's situation? Moreover, if Lord Xiao submits to the Celestial Dynasty with us, his official position will certainly be no lower than ours. Furthermore, the Celestial Dynasty's emperor is a man of immense power, and with the Celestial Dynasty's strength, they can continuously expand their territory. If Lord Xiao submits to the Celestial Dynasty, the men of the Khitan people can truly conquer the world, and the prestige of our Khitan people will spread throughout the land, which would be a great honor for our ancestors. The Liao Dynasty is no longer as powerful as it once was, and there is no longer a place for a man of such talent and ambition as General Xiao to use his abilities. However, the Celestial Dynasty can give Lord Xiao the opportunity to demonstrate his abilities. Whether for the sake of the tribe or for personal reasons, choosing the Celestial Dynasty is a wise move. I wonder if Lord Xiao is willing to work with us?"

Hui Libao tightened his grip on the dagger in his hand after seeing Li Chuwen finish speaking.

Xiao Gan naturally knew that they were playing good cop and bad cop, and although there seemed to be room for maneuver, they had now laid everything bare. If he dared to say "no," Hui Libao would definitely play the bad cop to the end. With their status, even if they killed him, they could easily deceive the servants and leave the mansion. With them as inside agents, the Liao Kingdom was not worried about its demise. Moreover, even if he died for his country, he could not guarantee that other members of his clan would not rebel, after all, the Liao Kingdom's fate was sealed. But betrayal was too cruel for him.

"I heard that Lord Xiao dotes on your youngest son. He hasn't seen much yet, has he? If Lord Xiao really likes him, he should think about him." As Xiao Gan was considering, Li Chuwen suddenly spoke up.

Xiao Gan had a son late in life, and the one he couldn't bear to part with the most was his youngest son. Li Chuwen pointed out his weakness, and he trembled, sighed, and said, "Fine, fine. Since you two gentlemen think so highly of me, how dare I disobey?"

Li Chuwen gently released Xiao Gan and laughed, "Those who understand the times are wise. Lord Xiao's choice will surely be remembered in history, and future Khitans will be proud of your choice today. With Lord Xiao's help, the situation in the capital is settled." Xiao

Gan asked doubtfully, "Lord Huilibao's Xi army and the troops I control only make up a minority of the troops in the capital. The main defense forces in the city are still the Emperor's subordinates. I'm afraid we can't succeed on our own." "

I have already bribed the resentful troops. How can the remaining troops defend the capital? My son is a palace guard, and many palace guards have also been bribed. We can then control the Emperor, making them hesitant to act, and the capital will not be difficult to control. In the next two days, Yelü Dashi will most likely also enter the capital with light cavalry. If we intercept him, we might even be able to control the troops in the capital. The whole country will submit. What a great achievement that will bring us endless wealth and glory." "

Speaking of his triumph, Li Chuwen couldn't help but laugh heartily.

Chapter 162 The Monkeys Scatter

As the sun set, chaos erupted at the north gate of Yanjing Prefecture. The common people entering and leaving the city scattered to a distance, watching the officials clearing the way with curiosity.

Judging from the servants' attire, they knew the newcomers were of noble status. However, it was rare for officials to leave the city after sunset, as they usually went out in the morning and returned in the evening.

The guards on duty at the city gate hurriedly stepped forward to greet their commander and several high-ranking officials.

Yelü Yungu nodded and asked, "Hasn't he arrived yet?"

The guard on duty replied, "No, I have already sent men to scout outside the city. I will know as soon as Da Shilin arrives within five li of the city."

Yelü Yungu turned to Li Chuwen and the others and said, "It seems Da Shilin is still on his way. The time to close the city gates is approaching. Shall we wait?"

Li Chuwen nodded and said, "Let's wait a little longer. Da Shilinya will surely travel overnight after receiving the imperial edict. Judging by the schedule, they should arrive today." Yelü

Yungu nodded upon hearing this and said, "Then let's go up to the city wall to wait. Please, gentlemen."

Xiao Gan glanced at him and said to Prince Ao Luwo, who was traveling with him, "Your Highness, please go first."

Although Prince Ao Luwo was of nomadic origin, he was tall and handsome, like a fair-skinned scholar. Even in the Central Plains, he would be considered a rare handsome young man, and he possessed more heroic spirit than the scholars of the Central Plains. He would be an outstanding figure wherever he went.

When the Prince of Xiangyin was in power, Prince Ao Luwo had achieved many political accomplishments and became the most powerful heir to the throne. Unfortunately, he was later framed by the powerful minister Xiao Fengxian, his mother was given death, his maternal uncle Yelü Yudu was forced to defect to the Jin Dynasty, and he was stripped of his real power, although he was not deprived of his... He had the throne, but there was no hope of inheriting the throne.

Unexpectedly, while his father was in power, the hope of inheriting the throne vanished. However, during his uncle's reign, things took a turn for the better.

Prince Jin, Aoluwo, already knew that Yelü Chun was seriously ill and intended to pass the throne to him. Once Yelü Dashi arrived, they could all enter the palace to pay their respects to the emperor. With the support of these important figures, he could then make his move.

However, since the matter was not yet decided, he dared not be arrogant. He bowed and said, "Gentlemen, you are all highly respected; how could Aoluwo dare to be impolite? Please go first."

Looking at the respectful and virtuous Prince Aoluwo, Xiao Gan felt a pang of sadness. Unable to bear looking at him any longer, he lowered his head and silently walked towards the horse path leading to the city wall. Aoluwo

, however, did not notice Xiao Gan's sudden dejection. He then invited Li Bao, Li Chuwen, and Yelü Yungu back to the city wall before following them.

The guards on duty below, seeing that their superior had not allowed them to follow, tactfully stood guard at the gate. To avoid spoiling the enjoyment of these nobles, they ordered soldiers to drive the common people to other gates.

These nobles were clearly used to this. Aoluwo initially wanted to stop them, but seeing… Everyone was gazing into the distance, deep in thought, and given the unusual circumstances, they could only pretend not to see anything.

The people were clearly used to this kind of rule, and no one resisted. At the gatekeeper's shout, they all headed towards the other gates. It was unknown how many of them would be unable to return home; those inside the city were somewhat better off, but those outside might have to sleep in the open. As

darkness fell, only a few scattered people returned home in the distance.

Yelü Yungu, responsible for the defense of Yanjing, was on duty. Seeing the group lost in thought, he said, "Perhaps Da Shilinya is delayed. The gates have closed; perhaps we should head back."

Xiao Gan, upon hearing this, glanced at Li Chuwen.

Li Chuwen looked out of the city again before reluctantly saying, "Then let's go back first and wait for Da Shilinya again tomorrow."

Xiao Gan nodded, "Lord Li is right. It seems Da Shilinya won't be coming today; let's go back." "

The group had just dismounted from the city wall and mounted their horses

when they heard the sound of hooves outside. The officer on duty looked out and exclaimed happily, 'General, with us here, it must be Yelü Dashi, the warlord!'

Sure enough, a short while later, a travel-worn Yelü Dashi appeared outside the city gate.

Yelü Dashi was taken aback to see some of the most powerful people in the capital waiting to greet him at the gate. He quickly reined in his horse, panting, and said, 'Why are all of you gentlemen here?'"

Li Chuwen stepped forward and said, "We calculated that Da Shilin should arrive today, so we waited here specifically."

He then sighed and said, "His Majesty's health is deteriorating day by day; it's best to settle important matters as soon as possible." Yelü Dashi nodded and said, "Then let's go into the palace. Please, gentlemen."

The group spurred their horses towards the palace. Yelü Dashi asked, "Why has His Majesty suddenly fallen seriously ill?"

Li Chuwen shook his head and said, "His Majesty has always been weak and sickly. After ascending the throne, he has been overworked with state affairs every day, which is why he has fallen ill. These past few days, the Celestial Empire has been reporting frequent victories, and His Majesty is worried about the country, so his condition has worsened."

The group spurred their horses on, and before Yelü Dashi could ask many questions, they had already arrived outside the palace.

Naturally, not just anyone could enter the palace. A group of attendants waited outside, while only a few Liao nobles went into the palace, which was surrounded by high walls and deep courtyards.

The palace in Yanjing Prefecture was also built in imitation of the engineering projects of the Central Plains throughout history. Entering the underground palace gate, there was a long passageway, flanked by walls several meters high. The long corridor alone gave off a sense of oppression, making the royal family seem as aloof as the walls on either side.

An ordinary person walking through this deserted corridor might have run frantically, but this group were frequent visitors to the palace, and this corridor was like their own backyard, so they walked slowly and deliberately.

Yelü Dashi was familiar with this path, usually strolling leisurely through it. But today, Yelü Dashi felt somewhat oppressed, his heart pounding, as if something was about to happen.

Li Chuwen, who had been watching Yelü Dashi closely, noticed his furrowed brow and quietly took a few steps back, distancing himself from him.

Yelü Yungu also noticed Yelü Dashi's unusual expression and asked, "Dashi Linya, what's wrong?"

Yelü Dashi forced a smile and said, "I've been rushing here non-stop, perhaps I'm a little tired. I feel this corridor is eerie and uncomfortable."

Upon hearing this, Hui Libao's expression changed, and he looked at Li Chuwen.

Li Chuwen shook his head slightly and smiled, "Indeed, Zhongjing is nearly a thousand miles from here. Da Shi Lin Ya has worked hard. Lin Ya should have rested. However, the Emperor's condition is serious, so we must be cautious."

Perhaps he was just too tired. What could possibly happen in the palace?

Yelü Da Shi clenched his fist secretly to keep himself alert. Since receiving the imperial edict, he had been rushing here day and night. His eyelids were drooping.

"Now is a time of national crisis. How can we only consider personal safety? Let's hurry into the palace. Da Shi can still hold on."

Once the succession is decided, he can rest. Passing the throne to Prince Jin, Ao Luwo, is not necessarily a bad thing. The current Emperor is indeed getting old. Just like the stagnant Liao Dynasty, how can we expect him to revitalize the country?

As they walked into the corridor, several guards with swords hurried over, seemingly about to leave the palace.

Upon reaching them, the guards bowed and stood aside to let the important figures pass first.

The others were not responsible for palace defense and had no authority to inquire about the guards' affairs, so they merely nodded in acknowledgment and continued walking forward.

After a few steps, Yelü Yungu heard the sound of a sword being drawn behind him. Sensing something amiss, he quickly sidestepped, knocking Yelü Dashi aside, and simultaneously drew his sword. But he felt a sudden tightening on his wrist; Xiao Gan beside him had already grabbed him. A guard had already stepped forward and placed a sword against Yelü Yungu's neck.

Prince Jin, Aoluwo, was also restrained by Huilibao and a guard.

Yelü Yungu was shocked and enraged to see that Huilibao and Xiao Gan had betrayed him together. Knowing another coup was about to occur, he turned to look at Yelü Dashi. He found that Yelü Dashi had been knocked to the ground by him and was also being restrained by a guard.

It was all over. Was there anyone in the clan besides Prince Jin, Aoluwo, who could stabilize the situation?

Yelü Dashi, already exhausted, was knocked down by someone and fell. He barely recovered when he found three of his companions subdued. He roared, "What are you doing?"

Yelü Dashi and his two companions were skilled fighters. Li Chuwen, who had been

hiding behind them, stepped forward after they were subdued. Seeing their shocked and angry eyes, he smiled and said, "The three of you are all outstanding individuals, so I won't beat around the bush. The Celestial Dynasty is preparing for a northern expedition, and the Liao Dynasty is on the verge of collapse. We have already submitted to the Celestial Dynasty. Now that you are captured, we can control the situation in the capital. Those who understand the times are wise; I'm sure you three will make the right choice. So, tell me your choice."

Yelü Yungu, who had initially thought it was another usurpation within his clan, never expected them to betray their country. He was stunned.

Prince Aoluwo of Jin had already rebuked, "Our Great Liao has treated you well, why have you betrayed our country?"

"Kill."

The guard was stunned, not expecting Li Chuwen to utter such a single word after Aoluwo's mere question.

Everyone stared blankly at Li Chuwen.

Li Chuwen, however, stared at the guard and said, "Didn't you hear my order?"

The guard shuddered at Li Chuwen's fierce gaze, and with a swift pull, Aoluwo's blood gushed out.

Yelü Yungu and Yelü Dashi, watching the lifeless Prince Aoluwo, felt a wave of despair. The most prestigious prince of the royal family was gone; without him, no one in the imperial clan could unite the Khitan people.

Seeing the two men's ashen faces, Li Chuwen secretly gloated at his move. Prince Aoluwo was Liao's last hope; eliminating him would greatly diminish the Khitans' desire to resist.

Although Prince Aoluwo wasn't the most talented in the imperial clan, he was certainly the most prestigious. Because he was the son of the former emperor, Prince Xiangyin, Yelü Yanxi, his lineage was more legitimate than Yelü Chun's. During the previous coup, Yelü Dashi and others wanted to enthrone Prince Jin, Aoluwo, but Li Chuwen believed he was too young and inexperienced to shoulder the responsibility. Furthermore, Yelü Chun held military power in Yanjing and also desired the throne, remaining silent. Without Yelü Chun's approval, a coup was impossible, so everyone had no choice but to support Yelü Chun.

Therefore, when Yelü Chun fell critically ill, he proposed passing the throne to Prince Jin, Aoluwo, which was widely supported.

Prince Jin, Aoluwo, was the last hope of the Liao royal family. Without him, no one would have the prestige to rally the various Khitan tribes, leading to the Khitan fragmentation and the inability to cause any further trouble.

Seeing Li Chuwen's ruthlessness, Xiao Gan hurriedly said, "The overall situation is settled. The Heavenly Dynasty's 100,000-strong army has already crossed the Juma River, and the 100,000 steppe wolf cavalry are ready to go. Generals, please surrender. Once war breaks out, countless lives will be lost. You both know the barbarity of the steppe people. Once they enter our territory, rivers of blood will surely flow. Please, sirs, consider the plight of the Khitan tribes."

Hui Libao also said, "The Heavenly Dynasty's emperor is a god descended to earth, his power is overwhelming. How can this land bind his steps? Submitting to the Heavenly Dynasty could be a rebirth for the Khitan people. The Xi and Khitan tribes can continue to fight side by side and leave their mark on history."

Yelü Dashi's expression changed for a moment, then he sighed, "Alas, I hope it is as you two sirs say. Yelü Dashi is willing to surrender."

The first one is difficult, but imitation is easy.

Before long, Yelü Yungu also agreed to surrender, only demanding that they guarantee not to massacre the Khitan royal family again.

I'd like to recommend a book to everyone, also set in the Northern Song Dynasty, called *The Official Career of the Northern Song Dynasty*. It's already nearly 200,000 words long, a slow-burning read, but those interested might want to check it out. Here's a synopsis:

Shen Huan from the 21st century transmigrates to 11th-century China. Here, Wang Anshi, the most powerful and influential reformer in ancient China, is about to step into the limelight and seize power. In this turbulent era, what will he do? With him, will the term "Northern Song" even appear in history? What? He'll be standing behind Sima Guang? Will he protect him from the wind and rain or stab him in the back...? Let's see how a modern person interprets a new history of the Northern Song Dynasty.

Chapter 163

The sun, which had raged all day, though unwilling, could not escape the laws of nature and sank below the horizon, its final struggle leaving only a blood-red, murky sunset.

After their helpless compromise, Yelü Dashi and Yelü Yungu became dejected, no longer daring to look directly at the highest authority of the Liao Dynasty, and even less ashamed to face the Liao Emperor. They only wanted to go home and rest as soon as possible.

Li Chuwen, however, was not overjoyed. After thinking for a moment, he said, "Since the two gentlemen are of one mind with us, I do not want any more bloodshed in the capital. I hope General Yelü Yungu can first hand over the military power in the capital. It would be best if both generals stayed indoors for the next few days and did not receive any guests, lest any misunderstandings arise. When the Heavenly Emperor travels north, we will petition for your merit."

Although they seemed to have bowed their heads in the face of death, Li Chuwen dared not be careless. After all, they were the royal family of Liao. If they were forced by circumstances to feign submission and then turn around and retaliate after leaving the palace, this matter might fail completely.

Seeing that things had come to this point, Yelü Yungu had no choice but to take out the military tally and hand it to Li Chuwen.

"I hope you will keep your promise,"

Li Chuwen said, accepting the tally. "General Yelü, rest assured, I will do my best to ensure the safety of the royal family. The Emperor of the Celestial Dynasty is not a bloodthirsty man. As long as our entire nation submits, the Emperor will certainly treat the Khitan royal family well. However, this military tally alone may not be enough to convince everyone. I will go and obtain an imperial edict, allowing my cousin Chu Neng to succeed you as general. I hope General Yelü can accompany him, lest anything goes wrong."

"Then I will wait for the imperial edict outside the palace gates." Yelü Yungu

was at a complete disadvantage, like a fish on a chopping block.

He had no choice now, but he knew that obtaining an imperial edict was not so easy. He feared that Li Chuwen would again force him to go with him to forcibly obtain the edict.

Yelü Dashi was also exhausted, both physically and mentally, and felt guilty, so he had no face to see the Emperor again. He cupped his hands and said, "I'm feeling a bit unwell, so I won't go into the palace."

Li Chuwen, confident that his son Li Neng could control the inner court, didn't force the two, and smiled, "Then the two generals should return to their residences to rest. I'll inform you if anything happens."

He then turned to the guards beside him and said, "Take a team to protect the two generals, in case some stubborn elements try to assassinate them."

Yelü Dashi and Yelü Yungu had no choice but to silently return home under their "protection," and those in the palace could only pray for their own good fortune.

When Li Chuwen and his party arrived at Yelü Chun's palace, they saw Li Chuwen's son Li Yi waiting outside. The entire palace was as quiet as ever, with only a few people knowing that undercurrents were surging within.

With the arrival of Li Chuwen and his entourage, the palace's tranquility would be gone forever.

"Has it been accomplished?"

Seeing his father approach first, Li knew the matter was mostly settled. Otherwise, his father wouldn't be walking so confidently ahead of Xiao Gan and Hui Libao. However, since it concerned future wealth and honor, he couldn't help but ask. Li Chuwen nodded, "Yes, Ao Luwo has been dealt with, and Yelü Dashi and Yelü Yungu are under guard. How about you?" "

I've bribed the guards on duty. The guards near Yelü Chun's bedchamber are all people I trust. However, there are still many guards I can't bribe, and I can't fully control the palace. But now that Father has control of the capital, we can send people into the palace to take over the palace defenses."

Li Chuwen shook his head, "No, we haven't controlled Yelü Yungu's troops yet. If we send troops into the palace, it will inevitably arouse suspicion among Yelü Yungu's subordinates. Let's wait until we have complete control of the city's troops. You just need to control Yelü Chun. With him in hand, even if others discover something, they won't dare to act rashly."

The cunning Li Chuwen, knowing the importance of striking while the iron is hot, said as he walked inside, "Let's go find Yelü Chun and get an imperial edict so your third uncle can take Yelü Yungu's troops out of the city, to avoid any further trouble." Li

Chuwen?

Li had originally thought his father would let him control Yelü Yungu's troops—20,000 elite Khitan soldiers! Controlling that elite force would give him leverage no matter how things changed. He never expected this opportunity to fall to his uncle.

Li signaled two trusted men to guard the palace gates, caught up with Li Chuwen, and asked, "Why my third uncle? Can he really control 20,000 men? Once they're out of the city, his own life will be in danger." Li Chuwen glanced at his son and scolded, "Show some respect to your third uncle."

Li realized he had gone too far and lowered his head, saying, "Yes, Father, I was wrong." "

The Li family is a prominent clan in Yanjing, a scholarly family, but it seems they've been influenced by the Khitans. Since Yanjing fell into Khitan hands, there haven't been many talented people left, and Li Chuwen has few capable men. Li is Li Chuwen's most capable son, and also his favorite. He doesn't want any rift to develop between the two he trusts most.

Seeing that he admitted his mistake, Li Chuwen continued, "The importance of this palace is no less than that of the 20,000 troops. Although Yelü Chun is on his deathbed, he is still the Khitan emperor. If he raises his arm, the Khitans in the capital will likely respond in large numbers. Your task is crucial. After it's accomplished, I will find you a good position in the Celestial Empire."

"Yes, I understand." "

Yelü Chun's palace has been completely taken over by Guard Li, and all the palace servants have been imprisoned. Only Consort Xiao remains to serve him.

Yelü Chun, already on the verge of death from the palace upheaval, fell into a deep sleep after a while.

Consort Xiao, however, sat helplessly by the bedside, pondering how to save her own life. Clearly, another coup had occurred in the palace, and this time the leader was a Han Chinese. If it were a Khitan, Consort Xiao believed her background would be enough to intimidate anyone, but it was a different story with Han Chinese causing trouble. With the Celestial Empire as their backing, the Imperial Uncle

and his ilk probably wouldn't take them seriously. Moreover, in recent years, the oppressed Han Chinese, once they gained power, would inevitably vent their anger on the Khitans in the palace. When Consort Xiao saw her cousin Xiao Gan and Li Chuwen enter, a hint of joy flashed across her face. She stood up and said, 'Cousin, save me! I'm willing to return to the clan!'" Xiao Gan, however, could not make the decision and simply said indifferently, "

Put it down, they won't do anything to you." "As she spoke, she glanced at Li Chuwen, hoping he would give her face.

Li, with lustful eyes for Consort Xiao's curvaceous figure, said to his father, "I have long admired the Empress, I wonder..."

Consort Xiao, at this moment, also realized who was in charge, but she hadn't expected this young guard to have such improper thoughts about her, and even say it in public. She blushed with embarrassment.

Li Chuwen also had some feelings for this beautiful Empress, but having lingered in Bianjing for a long time, although he hadn't managed to get close to any noble ladies in the palace, he had heard many rumors about the harem, such as the empresses of the conquered countries being taken into Zhang Yang's harem. Therefore, he dared not take the risk. If Zhang Yang really had a hobby of collecting empresses, and he took advantage of him first, then he would probably be in big trouble.

Li Chuwen glanced at the beautiful Empress, swallowed hard, glared at his son, and said, "She still has to be examined by the Emperor of the Celestial Empire. Don't have any thoughts about her, or I won't let you off the hook." Upon hearing that the offering was to the Emperor of the Celestial Dynasty, Li

's lustful desires were immediately suppressed. Li Chuwen knew his son's lustful nature and youthful impetuosity, fearing he might commit an act that could lead to the extermination of the clan.

Gao Neng, a capable and virtuous ruler of the Sui Dynasty, was an indispensable founding father who quelled rebellions and expanded the territory. While Gao's achievements were numerous, he was ultimately killed by Yang Guang for killing Zhang Lihua, the favorite concubine of Emperor Chen Houzhu, during the conquest of the Chen Dynasty.

Li Chuwen felt his own achievements were inferior to Gao's, and he lacked Gao's public-spiritedness; if things came to light, his fate would likely be far worse than Gao's. After thinking for a moment, he said to Xiao Gan, "The palace is in turmoil; perhaps Lord Xiao should first bring the Empress back to the palace and take good care of her."

Xiao Gan readily agreed to the request. Sending his cousin to serve the Emperor of the Celestial Dynasty was clearly better than dealing with the Li family father and son, whose future was uncertain. If she gained favor, he could also benefit from it.

Consort Xiao, upon hearing that she was to be offered to the legendary, god-like Emperor of the Celestial Dynasty, felt a surge of anticipation, and her face flushed even more.

"Cough cough,"

Yelü Chun was also awakened by the noise. He struggled to look up and saw his father, Li Chuwen, who controlled his palace, standing before him. He couldn't help but ask sharply, "Li Chuwen, I have treated you well. What is your intention in imprisoning me?"

Seeing Yelü Chun awake, Xiao Gan immediately turned his head away, unable to bear looking at the dying emperor.

Li Chuwen laughed, "Your throne came from him, and now it's also being deposed by him. Isn't that fate?"

Yelü Chun's eyes widened, and he asked, "Yelü Dashi?"

Li Chuwen shook his head, "Yelü Dashi supported you, and it was my arrangement. The one who truly put you on the throne was the Emperor of the Celestial Dynasty. When I went to Bianjing to present gifts, the Emperor of the Celestial Dynasty was fully aware of our country's situation. He was the one who instructed me to make you emperor. Now the Celestial Dynasty is launching a northern expedition, and your mission is complete."

"Pfft!"

Yelü Chun never expected that his throne would be given to him by the emperor who destroyed his own country, and that he ultimately couldn't escape the fate of a ruler of a fallen nation. He spat out a mouthful of blood, his eyes rolled back, and he collapsed onto the bed.

Li Chuwen stepped forward and checked his breath, saying, "He's dead."

"It's good he's dead. It saves others from using him. You just need to block the news, and draft an imperial edict. As long as you have the imperial seal, and with Yelü Yungu involved, you don't even need him."

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