Chapter 714 - 17: Securing the Central Plains, Zhao Kuangyin’s Demise (Part 1)

If this person can be eliminated, it would be like winning a great battle for the Great Song.

Because at this point, the only one who can play a match against the Great Song in the entire world is Liao.

If Wang Yingchen can be removed, the blow to Liao would be far greater than before!

The Chancellor’s residence, Linhuang Mansion, Shangjing.

Unlike the usual bustling scene, since that day, the entire Chancellor’s residence has become like a forbidden ground in Great Liao that no one dares to approach, and no one comes to visit Wang Yingchen.

He has affected too many people’s interests, so naturally, there are no allies to speak for him.

Yet Wang Yingchen never seemed urgent, only sitting quietly in the mansion reading all day, as if completely unconcerned about being on the brink of life and death.

However, on this day, the silence of the Chancellor’s residence was finally broken.

With a carriage slowly arriving at the gate.

The guards at the gate, seeing the visitor, immediately lowered their heads, holding their breath, not daring to make a sound.

Yelv Xian walked straight into the mansion, followed closely by several attendants carrying a box of memorials.

"Take a look."

Upon meeting, Yelv Xian waved his hand to have the memorials piled in front of Wang Yingchen before he could even salute, and said in an indifferent tone, "Tell me, should I kill you or not."

Wang Yingchen’s eyes slightly moved, though he had long guessed the content of the memorials, he still respectfully took a few and looked at them carefully.

Moments later, he stood up and knelt down, calmly responding, "Your Majesty need not kill your minister."

"If we win this battle, I will die to atone for my crime."

His voice was calm, even when discussing life and death, there was not a trace of fear in his eyes, as if he still firmly believed in his judgment of the situation.

"Urgent report from Kaifeng—"

Yelv Xian said no more but took out a secret letter from his bosom and tossed it to Wang Yingchen: "The Song court is preparing for a national mourning!"

For once, Wang Yingchen’s expression finally changed slightly.

He picked up the secret letter and read it carefully, remaining silent for a long time before speaking again: "Even if the Song Monarch has truly passed, this battle is surely a strategy of the Great Song!"

Wang Yingchen’s tone was still very firm.

He even seemed a bit stubborn.

Seeing this, Yelv Xian could no longer suppress his anger and rebuked: "Do you truly think that you can atone for your crimes with your own life?"

Wang Yingchen did not move at the sound, still kneeling in front of Yelv Xian.

Yelv Xian grew increasingly angry.

Although he understood Wang Yingchen’s talents, in light of everything currently happening, Wang Yingchen had indeed delayed Liao’s opportunity in the war.

He was utterly at a loss.

"You!!"

He instinctively shouted.

But before he could utter it, Wang Yingchen finally responded, after another solemn bow to Yelv Xian, slowly spoke: "Your Majesty!"

"I, your minister, am surely aware this is my Liao’s opportunity in the war."

"But it is also a risk."

"My Liao has just passed through great chaos, your minister has your trust, striving to reorganize the court, but unrest persists unresolved."

"If this battle is lost, my Liao will certainly be finished."

Wang Yingchen’s tone was very serious.

He was well aware of Liu Jiyuan’s various actions, yet he never interfered.

This is the ruthlessness of Wang Yingchen.

With Zhao Kuangyin using himself as bait and Gu Jin directing his spearhead at him, he too uses himself as bait, hoping to use Gu Jin’s hand to cleanse the court of those residual factions.

He is not of the Gu Clan, and Yelv Xian is not the founding monarch.

Plus, given Liao’s political structure.

Wang Yingchen wants to completely eliminate all remnants in Liao and can only do so by borrowing the hands of others.

Although this move is exceedingly risky, to Wang Yingchen it is worth it.

He has great faith in his ability to judge the situation!

And this will be a tremendous help to him in governing Liao moving forward.

Wang Yingchen is deeply influenced by the Gu Clan.

What he values has never been short-term gain but long-term vision!

Upon hearing this, Yelv Xian immediately understood the meaning in his words, his entire expression changed again involuntarily.

Looking at Wang Yingchen in front of him.

He remained silent for a long time, even his body began to tremble.

Wasn’t Wang Yingchen’s move akin to selling out his own people?

If everything were truly as he said, would these people have any way out?

But Yelv Xian could also understand Wang Yingchen’s thinking.

This move, how could he not be the one benefiting from it?

Completely abolishing all the nobility, reclaiming all power to the court, how is this not the best opportunity?

Countless thoughts flashed by constantly.

Yelv Xian’s hands alternated between clenching and releasing for quite some time before finally reacting, letting out a cold snort: "If this battle is victorious, you can die by yourself!"

"I will spare you for now!"

As soon as these words were spoken, Yelv Xian brushed his sleeves, turned around, and left directly.

Yet, Wang Yingchen remained still.

He only silently bowed once more in the direction where Yelv Xian had departed.

....

Song Army’s camp.

"Your Majesty!!!"

"Your Majesty!!!"

"..."

Calls rang out continuously.

Dozens of Imperial Physicians were all pale-faced, looking at Zhao Kuangyin on the bed, who had no response whatsoever, their faces full of fear.

Seeing Zhao Kuangyin still with no movement.

Finally, someone couldn’t help but shout, "Quickly send someone to inform the Grand Tutor, His Majesty... His Majesty, he..."

Before the elder Imperial Physician could finish speaking, just as he mentioned the words "Grand Tutor", Zhao Kuangyin on the bed suddenly opened his eyes, even sitting up directly, and exclaimed, "No!"

——Instantly, there was silence!

All the Imperial Physicians widened their eyes in astonishment, looking at the risen Zhao Kuangyin.

But immediately, they realized.

This was the final rally before death!

Zhao Kuangyin’s pulse was too weak, weak to the point that even they had difficulty discerning whether Zhao Kuangyin had truly died earlier, which already indicated many issues.

"Before the war is over, do not inform Huaiyu."

Zhao Kuangyin seemed well aware of his condition and, without any unnecessary words, opened his mouth directly, "Summon You Chenfeng!"

"Quickly!!"

He waved his hands repeatedly.

At this moment, all the Imperial Physicians immediately rushed out.

In just a moment, You Chenfeng rushed in directly, without any hesitation, kneeling before Zhao Kuangyin, "Your Majesty, the court arrangements have already been made."

Indeed, having Kaifeng prepare the state funeral was Zhao Kuangyin’s idea.

He had long known about Gu Jin’s plan.

Thus, he had to do everything in his power to assist.

Hearing this, Zhao Kuangyin finally felt at ease, his entire state instantly like a candle about to extinguish, devoid of strength, and he fell down just like that.

His pupils began to dilate, and his breathing became increasingly rapid.

"Your Majesty!"

You Chenfeng was greatly alarmed.

At the same time, all the Imperial Physicians immediately knelt down.

"I... I traversed half my life, sweeping away all the nations... yet ultimately... I could not unify the land beneath, to reclaim our Han’s homeland..."

Zhao Kuangyin’s gaze was scattered, his breath ever weaker, yet he still struggled to hold onto his last breath, every word stained with blood, "The heavens... do not grant me years... I am unwilling..."

At this moment.

This Emperor finally let go of all his strength, tears continuously falling from his increasingly scattered eyes.

"This land... is still incomplete... Youyun is not reclaimed... Liao Invaders still persist... How can I face the founder in the afterlife...

The founder he spoke of — naturally referred to Chai Rong.

Unlike the original history.

This time, Zhao Kuangyin’s ascension to the throne was not an act, but a genuine attempt to sweep across the world, which was what set him apart most from other emperors.

He still recognized Chai Rong as the Emperor!

Sadly, he too met the same end as Chai Rong.

With the world unsettled, he died first.

Somber sobs intermittently echoed in the sleeping quarters.

Zhao Kuangyin seemed to want to say something more, but his voice was weak and indistinct, only faintly repeating "Huaiyu" twice.

Finally, using his last bit of strength, he struggled to look towards the south, as if trying to see Taiyuan once more across countless mountains and rivers.

In the next moment, he finally ceased to move.

No more sound from him at all.

The eighth year of Kai Bao, on the day of Guichou in October.

Zhao Kuangyin passed away in the midst of the southern expedition.

His posthumous edict stated: Crown Prince Zhao Dezhao was to ascend the throne in Kaifeng, Gu Jin was granted military and political power, and the Northern Expedition must not cease.

——————

"In the winter of the eighth year of Kai Bao, on the day of Guichou in October, the Emperor passed away at the temporary residence in Taiyuan, at the age of fifty.

He reigned for sixteen years, quelling pretenders, and unifying the Nine Provinces.

Characterized by leniency and emphasis on culture and education, cautious with criminal justice, and caring for the people’s strength.

In his later years, he was determined to set forth on a Northern Expedition, with the ambition to restore the Han family’s world, yet the heavens did not grant prolonged years, and he died midway, the military and civilians weeped ceaselessly upon hearing the news."

——"Song History, Annals of the Grand Progenitor."