Zhang Dun, who had a dry mouth, walked out of Yelu Yixin's Wei Prince's Mansion, then couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief, then turned his head to look at the Wei Prince's Mansion behind him, and then whispered to himself: "Finally, Yelu Yixin still knows the importance of it, and finally sent Xiao Yanshou's supplies. If he delayed it like this, I'm afraid the Huanglong Mansion would really not be able to save it."

Xiao Yanshou probably never dreamed that the reason why he suddenly received the owed materials was thanks to Zhang Dun's previous words that threatened Yelu Jun and the ministers. Zhang Dun found out that the situation in Huanglong Mansion was not good, especially after Xiao Yanshou was driven there by Yelu Yixin to die, he felt very anxious. After a few days of enduring, he could not help but come to Yelu Yixin's mansion to inquire about the situation. However, what he relieved him was that Yelu Yixin was also scared by his words before, and actually sent someone to notify the people he had in hand early and asked them to distribute the supplies. It is estimated that Xiao Yanshou had received the supplies now.

Thinking of the above, Zhang Dun couldn't help but smile. From Yelu Yixin's attitude, it showed that the Liao Kingdom was very afraid of the Song Dynasty and did not dare to really break up with them. In this way, Zhang Dun was almost certain that Yelu Jun would definitely agree to an alliance with the Song Dynasty in the end. Now, the reason why he has not made any statement for a long time, whether it is just that he can't hold on to this face.

After guessing what Yelu Jun thought, Zhang Dun felt extremely relaxed. In the few days he received, he still hangs with Yelu Yanxi every day as usual. Speaking of which, although Yelu Yanxi doesn't like studying very much, he likes to be arty and elegance. He makes friends with a group of literati from the Liao Kingdom. Some people will jump out to recite poems and talk about each other at the banquet. However, the talent of these literati from the Liao Kingdom was not comparable to Zhang Dun. As a result, Zhang Dun's reputation spread among the upper nobles of the Liao Kingdom, which also attracted more nobles to hope to make friends with him, the talented envoy of the Song Dynasty. The invitation to invite Zhang Dun flew into the official post like snowflakes. But Zhang Dun had only one, so it was naturally impossible to agree to everyone's invitation. As a result, many nobles in the Liao Kingdom were proud of invitations to Zhang Dun for a while, which also boosted Zhang Dun's reputation.

It is probably because Yelu Jun had a bad impression of Zhang Dun. He felt very uncomfortable when he saw that he was doing so well in the Liao Kingdom. So he summoned him to the palace again that day and agreed to the suggestion of forming an alliance with the Song Dynasty to clear out the Jurchens. However, the specific alliance and how to implement this matter need further discussion.

The reason why the Song Dynasty sent important officials like Zhang Dun on missions was mainly to give him greater power in the Liao Kingdom. Therefore, in the next few days, he discussed some detailed alliance content with several ministers of the Liao Kingdom on behalf of the Song Dynasty. Although there were a lot of disputes during this period, he finally reached an agreement on the opinions of both sides. The main content of the alliance was that the Song Dynasty would continue to support some materials for the Liao Kingdom. In order to ensure that these materials were used to clear out the Jurchens, the Song Dynasty would send special officials to the Liao Kingdom for supervision, and the Liao Kingdom promised to send enough troops to the Huanglong Mansion area. Even if the Jurchens could not be completely eliminated, their rise would still be suppressed.

In addition to the main content above, Zhang Dun also added an additional one in the end. That is, if the Liao Kingdom eliminated the Jurchens and even was counterattacked by the Jurchens and seized the Huanglong Mansion, the Song Dynasty had the right to unilaterally terminate the alliance and retain all other means to curb the Jurchens.

Originally, this last one was very threatening. Neither Yelu Jun nor other ministers agreed that Zhang Dun added this one in the end, but Zhang Dun's attitude was very tough, because in this way, the Song Dynasty would have a reasonable reason to send troops to the Liao Kingdom. In addition, it would also encourage the kings and ministers of the Liao Kingdom, so that they dare not do their best. So he insisted that he should add this one no matter what.

The Song Dynasty was no longer the Song Dynasty before. Since the last Battle of Yanyun, the Liao Kingdom has been a little afraid of the Song Dynasty, so in the face of Zhang Dun's tough attitude, they had to compromise in the end, which also made Yelu Jun feel the humiliation of the Luanhe Alliance again.

After the alliance was signed, Zhang Dun immediately said goodbye to Yelu Jun and promised to urge the Song Dynasty to transport the first batch of supplies to the Liao Kingdom after returning. At the same time, he also hoped that the Liao Kingdom would abide by its promise and arrange the accompanying Song officials to supervise the whereabouts of these supplies. Yelu Jun had long since wanted to see Zhang Dun again, so he immediately arranged a farewell banquet for Zhang Dun, and then asked his son Yelu Yanxi to send the other party out of the capital.

At the same time, in the Kunning Hall, the imperial palace of Tokyo City of the Song Dynasty, Empress Dowager Gao, who had just recovered from illness, walked slowly in the hall with the support of her son Zhao Hao. Because the imperial doctor had ordered her to walk more after taking the medicine every time, which could speed up the absorption of the medicine. After this period of careful care, she felt much more relaxed. She probably would recover in another month.

"Mother, I heard that Zhang Dun went to Liao Kingdom and seemed to be trying to form an alliance with Liao Kingdom to deal with some Jurchens. Isn't this a bit too ridiculous? After all, the Jurchens are too far away from our Song Dynasty." At this moment, I suddenly heard Zhao Hao speak casually.

When Empress Dowager Gao heard this, she turned her head and looked at her son, and sighed in her heart. She naturally understood her son's thoughts more than anyone else, but she also knew that Zhao Hao's ability was not a big deal at all, so she said lightly: "I know about this matter. Although I don't understand why Zhao Yan did this, since he planned this matter and received the support of Your and all the ministers, this matter has become a conclusion, so he can only let him go. Anyway, our Song Dynasty will only provide some supplies at most, and it is not a loss."

In fact, when she had just made a decision in the court to form an alliance with the Liao Kingdom to share the Jurchens, Empress Dowager Gao had already known about this. However, she was recuperating at the time and really had no energy to care about this matter. Now it was a matter of time. Even if she wanted to overturn this resolution, it would not be easy.

"Mother, it's nothing to support the Liao Kingdom. But what if the Liao Kingdom gets these materials and doesn't deal with the Jurchens, but instead uses them to prevent our Song Dynasty. In addition, even if they use these materials to deal with the Jurchens and really defeat the Jurchens, this will only allow the Liao Kingdom to lose a great enemy, allowing them to deal with our Song Dynasty with all their strength. On the contrary, our Song Dynasty has released so much supplies, but we have nothing to get." Zhao Hao said at this time, looking at his anxious look, as if he was really considering the country and the people.

"Okay. Don't talk about this matter anymore. The Ai family has a sense of responsibility." Empress Dowager Gao said a little dissatisfied at this time. Zhao Hao said so much, but he just wanted to arouse his dissatisfaction with Zhao Yan, but he didn't think about it. With Zhao Yan's current status, she could not move as soon as she wanted. In addition, this matter received support from Zhao Xu. Although Zhao Xu is still young, he is the emperor of the Song Dynasty after all. Moreover, many ministers in the court have begun to change the direction of the wind. Although she is healthier now, she must not overturn Zhao Xu's resolution so openly, otherwise it will only cause trouble in the court.

Seeing that Empress Dowager Gao seemed unwilling to listen to her, Zhao Hao had to shut up helplessly, but he was still quite dissatisfied, because he could not see any threat to the Song Dynasty by the Jurchens. Zhao Yan's move would only consume money and food, and would even indirectly enhance the strength of the Liao Kingdom. It was a big mistake.

A few months later, Zhang Dun returned to the Song Dynasty with the letter of alliance with the Liao Kingdom. At this time, Empress Dowager Gao's body had almost recovered. It was a miracle that was not too big or too small. After all, she was so old that many people thought that she could not survive this serious illness, but she did not expect that Empress Dowager Gao not only survived, but also seemed to be more energetic than before.

After Empress Dowager Gao's health recovered, Zhao Xu had to retreat to the second line again. After all, he was not yet old and was in power. However, after tasting the deliciousness of power, Zhao Xu was a little reluctant to let go, and he had congratulated Zhao Yan several times for this. Zhao Yan could only advise him to relax. When he grew up in the future, it might be unlikely to get rid of those government affairs.

However, although Empress Dowager Gao regained power, she did not show any objection to the alliance with the Liao Kingdom. After Zhang Dun returned, she handed over the alliance letter. She also signed the alliance letter on behalf of the Song Dynasty, and then handed the matter to the Political Affairs Hall for handling. The materials were mobilized quickly, and some supervisory officials were also transferred to the capital to gather. After all the matters were prepared, these officials led the army to escort the materials to the Liao Kingdom. They would be the first batch of officials sent to the Liao Kingdom. Every two months, new materials would be sent until the Jurchens were completely wiped out.

"Brother Zihou, thank you for your hard work on this mission to Liao Kingdom!" Zhao Yan smiled at the willows in Bian River next to the Yue Palace. He said to Zhang Dun in plain clothes. It was also very interesting to say. Zhang Dun and Zhang Zai had the same name, but both of them disliked each other. Zhang Zai thought that Zhang Dun was talented but not virtuous, while Zhang Dun thought that Zhang Zai was corrupt and stubborn, but they were both close to Zhao Yan. Occasionally, before they met each other, they often had disputes. For this reason, Zhao Yan tried not to invite them to the palace together. For example, today he only invited Zhang Dun.

"You are polite, and it is only the duty of an official to be a mission to the Liao Kingdom. Fortunately, our Song Dynasty is stronger and stronger. As long as the officials are stronger, they have to tolerate them everywhere. Therefore, this mission to the Liao Kingdom really makes the official proud!" Zhang Dun laughed happily at this time.

Although Zhang Dun was happy to complete the mission, what made him even happier was Zhao Yan’s banquet today. Although he had a close relationship with Zhao Yan in the past, he still maintained a relationship. He relied on Zhao Yan to do things for him, rather than Su Shi and Zhang Zai and others, who were friends with Zhao Yan. However, now Zhao Yan invited him as a private person and chatted and laughed with him, which made him immediately notice the change in Zhao Yan’s attitude towards him. This was what made him happiest.

"I love to hear these words from Brother Zihou. As the saying goes, weak countries have no diplomacy. When our Song Dynasty faced Liao, we were almost always suppressed. However, when we were stronger than Liao, this situation could be reversed immediately. Therefore, national strength is the foundation of everything. If our Song Dynasty wants to be superior to other countries, we must maintain a strong country and swallow more resources."

When he said this, Zhao Yan suddenly paused and continued to speak earnestly: "Our world seems to be very big, but in fact, most of it is sea water, only 30% of the land, and there are quite a few places that are not suitable for human survival, so the resources in the world are actually very limited, so our Song Dynasty must try its best to expand outward, occupy more favorable resources, and lay a solid foundation for the prosperity of future generations!"

"The palace's long-term vision is not something that officials can do!" After hearing Zhao Yan's words, Zhang Dun couldn't help but exclaim. This was the first time he heard Zhao Yan tell his plan for the Song Dynasty in his heart, and it was the first time he knew that Zhao Yan was so thoughtful, and his eyes were no longer limited to the surrounding areas of the Song Dynasty, but focused on the whole world. No wonder others praised him as the number one wise king of the Song Dynasty.

"Haha, the long-term vision is a good thing, but the road has to be taken step by step, and the food has to be eaten in one bite. For our Song Dynasty, the most important problem now is to solve the troubles around us, such as the Liao Kingdom and the Jurchens. Only by solving these threats can our Song Dynasty expand out with confidence." Zhao Yan is not a person with low expectations. Although he often dreams of conquering the world, he does not have the threat of relaxing his eyes.

"I understand, thank you for your guidance!" Zhang Dun said with conscience again, and at the same time he was even more excited. Zhao Yan was able to tell him this, which means that he trusted him more.

Zhao Yan invited Zhang Dun to come today, firstly because he was very satisfied with his performance in the Liao Kingdom, and secondly, he felt that Zhang Dun's talent could indeed focus on cultivating. In recent years, Su Song has been getting older, and his interest in the heavens is much more than an official. He has expressed his idea of ​​going to the Academy of Mind and Physical Sciences to teach more than once, so Zhao Yan had to make plans for what he had after his retirement. It just so happened that Zhang Dun was keen on power and had this talent, so if Su Song retreated, he could make up for it.
Chapter completed!