The Kingdom That Never Sleeps CH 166 The Jiao Prefecture Agreement
After capturing Datong Prefecture, the Northwestern army advanced with unstoppable momentum. Within just three days, they seized Linzhao Prefecture.
The Liao court was in an uproar.
The Liao Emperor had just passed away, and the war with Song was turning dire. The kingdom was in turmoil, teetering on the edge of collapse. Of the 100,000 Black Wolf Army soldiers sent to Datong Prefecture, fewer than 40,000 remained. Grand Preceptor Yelü Ding suppressed his rage, biding his time like a predator waiting for the right moment to strike.
With the Liao Emperor's recent death and the crushing defeat in the south, Liao officials flooded the court with petitions urging Grand Preceptor Yelü Ding to negotiate peace with Song as soon as possible.
Twenty-six years ago, Song and Liao had fought intermittently for a decade, ending in a narrow victory for Song. Yet when Liao came to negotiate, they had acted arrogantly, showing no shame or fear as a defeated nation. But now, the Liao envoys galloped toward Shengjing, no longer as domineering as before.
Minister of Rites Meng Lang, once again serving as welcoming official, received them.
The Liao envoys requested an audience with the Song Emperor, but Meng Lang flatly refused.
“In a few days, it will be our Great Song Emperor’s celestial birthday. Have the Liao envoys prepared a tribute?”
The lead Liao envoy was momentarily stunned. “The Song Emperor’s birthday is still a month away, is it not?”
Meng Lang’s sharp eyes gleamed as he rebuked, “So you have not prepared a tribute? Coming empty-handed to see our emperor—do you not know that Great Song is a land of propriety? As the saying goes, ‘One must give before one receives.’ Since there has been no ‘giving,’ there shall be no ‘receiving.’”
The Liao envoys had no choice but to send word back to their court to prepare gifts for the Song Emperor.
By late September, the two sides convened for peace talks and signed a new treaty.
The Liao envoys protested, “We may relinquish Datong Prefecture and Linzhao Prefecture since they have already been taken. But Jinxi Prefecture is Liao territory—how can we possibly hand it over to you Song people?”
Meng Lang sneered. “The Datong, Linzhao, and Jinxi Prefectures you speak of had different names 104 years ago—they were known as Jiao, Han, and Ding Prefectures! Since they were originally our Great Song’s land, why should they not be returned to us?”
The Liao envoy mocked, “Do you take me for a fool? Your Song army has besieged Jinxi Prefecture for half a month and hasn’t even touched the city gates.”
Jinxi Prefecture was the most defensible of the three territories. Surrounded by mountains on three sides and a river on the fourth, it was nearly impregnable. The largest river in the nlNorthwestern plains, the Xi River, separated Jinxi Prefecture from Linzhao Prefecture. Crossing the river had already drained the Song army’s strength. To take Jinxi Prefecture would be an arduous and costly endeavor. This was why the Song ancestors had renamed the area “Ding Prefecture”—signifying that its capture would require firm resolve.
Meng Lang was well aware of this fact.
Yet he also knew that if he failed to secure Ding Prefecture today, General Li Jingde would lead 100,000 troops to attack it again tomorrow.
Li Jingde had once teased him, saying that civil officials were only good at talking and writing. But when Meng Lang closed his eyes and opened them again, he seemed to see not a negotiation table but a battlefield filled with the sounds of slaughter. Yellow dust filled the sky, blades clashed, and blood and corpses littered the ground.
Steadying himself, Meng Lang smiled and said, “Oh? As I understand it, your Liao Second Prince, Yelü Shege, has just returned to Shangjing, has he not?”
The Liao envoy’s expression changed.
“The Liao Emperor has fallen, and your nation is beset by internal and external crises. Our Great Song army is strong and our people are prosperous. While Jinxi Prefecture may be difficult to take, if we choose to attack with full force, it will inevitably fall. And when it does, our Song cavalry can sweep northward in an unstoppable advance.”
“You wouldn’t dare!”
Meng Lang’s eyes glared furiously. “Our Great Song warriors fight on the battlefield with no fear of death! What would we not dare?”
On the 29th day of the 9th month of the 36th year of Kaiping, Song and Liao signed a treaty: Liao returned Jiao, Han, and Ding Prefectures to Song and paid an indemnity of two million taels of silver and one hundred prized warhorses.
With the treaty signed, the entire nation rejoiced.
The emperor greatly rewarded Minister of Rites Meng Lang, bestowing upon him the title of Grand Secretary of the Guanwen Hall while allowing him to retain his position as Minister of Rites.
Tang Shen was surprised. At this time, Mei Shengze was still riding high after being captured and released. After completing his duties in Youzhou, Tang Shen arranged for his transfer back to Shengjing, where he was appointed as a fifth-rank official in the Ministry of Works. Tang Shen had originally planned to recall Wang Xiao as well, but Wang Xiao chose to remain in Youzhou to continue his work.
The grand victory in the Northwest delighted the court officials, and even Mei Shengze could not hide his joy.
Tang Shen remarked, “The return of the three prefectures to Song was expected, but I didn’t think Meng daren could also extract other compensation from the Liao.”
Mei Shengze replied, “Two million taels of silver is a hefty sum, but for our Great Song, it’s merely a year’s tax revenue. The real treasure is the hundred Ferghana horses.”
Tang Shen sighed, “It’s more than just that. Meng daren has truly outdone himself. The two million taels of silver and the hundred warhorses aren’t just wealth—they mark the beginning of a new era where our Great Song will never again fear the Liao!”
A thousand years, ten thousand affairs—history records but a single word.
Tang Shen had read history; how could he not understand that the Jiao Prefecture Agreement would surely be recorded in the annals with bold and heavy strokes?
With victory secured, the Northwestern army returned home.
On the fourth day of the tenth month, the emperor personally left the city gates to welcome them.
A similar scene had played out twenty-six years prior when the Song army returned from a hard-fought victory. At that time, a forty-something Zhao Fu had personally helped the aged Grand Preceptor to his feet, granting him the title of "Grand Preceptor"—the first and only living person in Song’s history to receive that honor.
Now, twenty-six years later, Tang Shen stood among the ranks of third-rank officials.
He lifted his gaze to the rising sun, watching as 100,000 troops marched in majestic formation. The sound of their hooves echoed like thunder. A young marshal clad in silver armor, his helmet adorned with golden plumes, leapt from his horse and knelt on one knee before the emperor.
“Your subject Li Jingde has fulfilled his duty, leading the Northwestern army to report before Your Majesty!”
Zhao Fu’s face lit up with joy. “Excellent!”
Taking Li Jingde’s hand, the emperor led him through the gates of Shengjing. The officials followed closely behind.
Watching from afar, Su Wenyun snorted coldly. “So Grand Preceptor Zhou didn’t return, but he sent him back instead.”
Grand Preceptor Zhou remained in the Northwest to maintain order, leaving Li Jingde to lead the victorious troops home. Had the Grand Preceptor returned, the emperor would have helped him up—rather than Li Jingde.
“General Li shaved his beard?”
Su Wenyun turned sharply and saw Tang Shen standing behind him.
Tang Shen greeted him with a salute and a faint smile. “Su daren.”
Su Wenyun glanced at him. “Tang daren.”
Tang Shen feigned curiosity and asked, "Su daren, do you know why General Li shaved his beard? Back in Youzhou, I once heard people say that General Li was born with a handsome face, but whenever he charged into battle, he lacked intimidation. So, he deliberately grew a full beard to appear more formidable and imposing."
After a brief pause, Tang Shen concluded with certainty, "That beard is his lifeline."
Su Wenyun smirked. “How would I know? If Li Jingde wanted to shave, what business is it of mine?”
Tang Shen nodded. “Oh, I see. I understand now.”
Without saying another word, he cast Su Wenyun a knowing glance and turned away.
Su Wenyun: “...”
Understand what? What exactly do you understand?!
Who the hell does he look like? This infuriating expression—so familiar!
Su Wenyun was suddenly stunned. “Wang Zifeng?”
He fell into deep thought.
That evening, when Tang Shen returned home, he told Wang Zhen about teasing Su Wenyun.
“I already heard from Mei Shengze that Li Jingde shaved his beard because Su Wenyun told him he wouldn’t provide any intelligence otherwise. So, I decided to try Senior Brother’s trick and corner Su Wenyun with words, teasing him a little. I never thought much of it before, but now I realize—it’s really amusing to watch someone rendered speechless. No wonder Senior Brother always does this.”
Wang Zhen chuckled. “When have I ever teased others all the time?”
Tang Shen raised an eyebrow. “Oh? You don’t?”
Wang Zhen looked at him seriously and said sincerely, “I only tease you.”
Tang Shen: “…”
The emperor’s birthday and victory in the Northwest meant a double celebration.
On the 13th day of the 10th month in the 36th year of Kaiping, the emperor held a grand ceremony to reward his meritorious officials.
Nearly half of the military officers were promoted by one rank, and the civil officials received generous rewards.
Tang Shen and Su Wenyun were also supposed to be rewarded, but because their involvement in the secret mission against Liao had to remain undisclosed, the emperor summoned them privately, offering them commendations and reassuring them not to feel slighted.
When Tang Shen left Chuigong Hall, he already had an idea—he knew his reward was inevitable; it was just a matter of timing.
And timing always arrived unexpectedly.
On November 7th, the Ministry of Works' Construction and Reform Department successfully developed a new type of loom, designed to work in tandem with the cage box. This new loom could produce ten bolts of fabric at once in a fraction of the usual time.
Tang Shen had spearheaded this project, leveraging his knowledge of Western looms from his past life to suggest improvements. The ministry’s craftsmen, building upon his insights, modified the diagonal loom and designed this advanced textile machine.
The first bolt of cloth woven from the new loom was personally presented by Tang Shen to the emperor.
Zhao Fu gently stroked the fabric. It was not as exquisite as Sichuan brocade or Suzhou embroidery, yet he examined it for a long time before finally looking up at Tang Shen.
“So this,” the emperor mused, “is the new world that Jing Ze once spoke to me about?”
Tang Shen remained composed, bowing as he replied, “This is only the beginning of the new world.”
After Tang Shen left, Zhao Fu sat on his throne, speaking in a measured tone to the grand eunuch Ji Fu.
“Do you know whom I trust most in this court?”
Ji Fu’s heart skipped a beat.
The emperor either stayed silent or said something that could decide a man’s fate. Serving the sovereign was like living alongside a tiger—one misstep, and disaster followed.
Ji Fu’s eyes flickered as he responded, “Your Majesty, all ministers are the pillars of the state. This humble servant dares not presume to know Your Majesty’s preference. However, if I may say, my personal favorite is Tang daren.”
With a shy smile, Ji Fu added, “Your Majesty knows, we eunuchs have no children of our own. Many of us take in godsons within the palace. I, too, have one. Every time I see Tang daren, he reminds me of that godson—so considerate, so thoughtful. Tang daren is always so thoughtful toward Your Majesty.”
Ji Fu had grown up alongside Zhao Fu and understood that nothing he did could be hidden from this emperor. So sometimes, he would confess minor secrets outright. It wasn’t that the emperor didn’t already know—he simply liked hearing it spoken aloud.
Sure enough, Zhao Fu laughed heartily, pointing at Ji Fu in mock reproach. “You dare compare Tang Jingze to a eunuch?”
Ji Fu’s expression changed instantly. He dropped to his knees quickly. “This servant wouldn’t dare! I spoke wrongly! Please punish me, Your Majesty!” As he spoke, he began slapping his own face.
Only after he had struck himself ten times did Zhao Fu say, “Enough, rise.”
Ji Fu, still aggrieved, murmured, “Yes, Your Majesty.”
Zhao Fu’s tone grew pensive. “In this court, I do not trust Xu Bi. I do not trust Wang Quan. I do not trust Wang Zhen. I do not trust Li Jingde. The only one I have ever fully trusted is Grand Preceptor Zhou. But now, I suddenly think that Tang Jingze…”
His voice trailed off. He tapped his fingers against the table, lost in thought.
Ji Fu cautiously lifted his eyes to study the emperor’s expression.
Zhao Fu finally spoke. “Tang Jingze truly wishes to build something great for our Great Song—not just for me.”
On the second day of the twelfth lunar month, Tang Shen was promoted to Right Attendant Gentleman of the Scattered Cavalry (Second Rank, honorary title) in recognition of his contributions to the cage box project. (TN: Scattered Cavalry" is not actually a military post, referring to officials who were not assigned to fixed posts but served as imperial advisers or attendants. The “Attendant" here is a high-ranking court official who advised and accompanied the emperor.)
The day after his promotion, as Tang Shen entered Qinzheng Hall, he unexpectedly ran into someone.
Both men paused in momentary surprise.
Tang Shen clasped his hands in greeting. “Now I believe what Yu daren once said—you and I are indeed fated to cross paths.”
Yu Chaosheng returned the salute. “I have yet to congratulate you. Congratulations on your promotion, Tang daren.”
Tang Shen smiled. “Many thanks, Yu daren.”
Yu Chaosheng simply said, “I have matters to attend to.”
Tang Shen nodded. “Take care.”
The two men brushed past each other in the garden of Qinzheng Hall.
When Tang Shen arrived at his office, Mei Shengze was already waiting outside.
Mei Shengze reached out and brushed a snowflake off Tang Shen’s shoulder. “It’s snowing.”
Tang Shen looked up, only then realizing that at some point, the sky had begun to fill with gently drifting snowflakes.
This was the first snowfall of this year's winter in Shengjing.
The next day, the Junior Minister of the Court of Judicial Review submitted a report to Chuigong Hall.
“Your Majesty, the case in Xingzhou has been fully investigated. The criminal official Sun Shangde has taken his own life in prison out of fear. However, after meticulously unraveling the evidence, I have uncovered the full truth.
This case involves numerous officials—most of them are of the fifth or sixth rank. However, there is one individual, while not one of the principal offenders, who currently holds a second-rank position.”
Zhao Fu had already anticipated this. He asked, “A second-rank official dared to commit such crimes? Who is it?”
The Junior Minister of Judicial Review bowed deeply, his voice unwavering.
“It is none other than the current Minister of Personnel and Vice Commander of the Silver Pull Division—Yu Chaosheng daren!”