Moma Liangshan

Chapter 112 Chen Song's Family Letter, Golden Tiger

The next day, Wang Hao returned to his seaside camp and summoned everyone to his tent for a meeting. Wang Hao announced, "I have reached an agreement with the princess of Shu. Jiaozhou will sell grain to Liaodong; the price is one tael of silver per shi of grain, both rice and wheat are acceptable. The first transaction is for one million shi of grain, paid for with one hundred thousand taels of gold, which has already arrived in Jinzhou City. Secondly, Gao Chang will assume the post of magistrate of Jinzhou County, fully responsible for this transaction. Chen Song can go to Jinzhou City tomorrow to discuss the details with him." Chen Song said, "One tael of silver per shi of grain is indeed more than double the price of grain in our dynasty. Even after deducting the cost of transportation, there is still a profit..." "The profits are plentiful; however, years of war in Liaodong have caused prices to skyrocket, especially grain." Wang Hao understood Chen Song's meaning, but as an envoy of the Song Dynasty, he couldn't simply view the issue from a merchant's perspective. He said, "Whether it was the Qin and Han dynasties or the Sui and Tang dynasties, not only did the Sixteen Prefectures of Youyun belong to the Central Plains dynasty, but the Hexi Corridor and the Liaodong Peninsula also belonged to the Central Plains dynasty. To recover lost territories and restore the glory of the past dynasties, we must win the hearts of the Han people. To win the hearts of the Han people, we must first bestow favors." Chen Song bowed and said, "Your subordinate understands!"

Wang Hao continued, “On this trip to Liaoyang Prefecture, I witnessed firsthand the clash between the Jin and Liao dynasties. I saw the Jurchens as fierce and cunning, and the Khitans as exhausted and weak. Given time, I fear the Liao's heartland will be difficult to protect, and the collapse of the state is highly probable.” Chen Song, puzzled, said, “His Majesty originally intended for us to secretly contact the Jurchens so that we could attack the Liao from both the north and south, and then seize the Sixteen Prefectures of Youyun. Moreover, the Liao's defeat was already foreseeable, and the Song-Jin alliance has no worries about the rear. Why does Your Highness want to do the opposite? Wouldn't this not only go against His Majesty's wishes but also antagonize the powerful Jurchens, resulting in losses both internally and externally?” Wang Hao replied, “After the Sui and Tang dynasties, the barbarians became powerful while the Central Plains were weak. Youyun fell to Liao, and Western Xia declared itself a kingdom. Emperor Taizu and Emperor Taizong unified the Central Plains with a million soldiers, yet their numerous northern and western expeditions all ended in failure. Why?” He looked around at the people below the tent. Lin Chong spoke up, “After the unification of the world, our dynasty has been recuperating and its national strength has been recovering day by day. However, the Khitan have also been working hard and are thriving. Even now, although the Liao Kingdom is engulfed in war, our dynasty is also rife with corruption. Therefore, the situation between the north and south remains unchanged.” Wang Hao was very satisfied and said, “The Khitan have been established for two hundred years, accumulating more than ten million in gold, silver and coins. The Jin have seized their land, and we have plundered their wealth. When the Jin and Liao are both exhausted, Your Majesty can lead your army north. Tell me, who dares to stop us on the vast grasslands of the north? At that time, Youyun, Hebei, and Liaodong will all be under the military might of our dynasty, and the entire grasslands beyond the Great Wall will become the pastures of the Song Dynasty. If the Jin and Liao surrender, how can the small Western Xia continue to resist?” Chen Song repeated Wang Hao’s words in his heart many times, his heart filled with heroic ambition, and slowly said, “Young Master, your insight is brilliant!”

At this moment, He Li said, "Reporting to my lord, I have led men to survey the eighty-mile coastline. There is a bay about twenty miles northwest of the main camp, which the locals call 'Hunshui Bay,' a natural harbor. With just a little construction based on the terrain, large ocean-going ships can be moored. There is also a ten-mile plain along the coast, suitable for building a town." Wang Hao nodded and said, "Right now, we have plenty of money and supplies, and the construction of the new port can begin at any time. This time, the Jurchen cavalry has wreaked havoc in Liaodong, and a large number of Han people will be heading south. You can use the pretext of recruiting laborers to help Gaochang resettle the refugees. Remember, we are all descendants of Yan and Huang, so be kind-hearted and treat everyone equally!"

Wang Hao returned to Jiaozhou on the fourth day of the Lunar New Year. After visiting his father, he hurriedly went to Tokyo to report to Emperor Huizong. However, Wang Hao was unaware that Chen Song's letter had already reached Emperor Huizong three days earlier through the hands of Eunuch Chen. Holding Chen Song's letter, Emperor Huizong glanced at Tong Guan, Gao Qiu, and Cai Jing, who were waiting in the hall, and slowly read aloud: "The Khitan have been established for two hundred years, accumulating countless amounts of gold, silver, and coins; the Jin seized their land, and we plundered their wealth. When the Jin and Liao are both weakened, Your Majesty can lead your army north. I ask you, who dares to stop us on the vast grasslands of the north? At that time, Youyun, Hebei, and Liaodong will all be under the might of our army, and the entire grasslands beyond the Great Wall will become the pastures of the Song Dynasty. If the Jin and Liao surrender, how can the small Western Xia continue to resist?" After reading the passage in Chen Song's letter quoting Wang Hao, he looked around at everyone again and said, "This is what Wang Hao said when he was in Liaodong..." "What are your opinions, my esteemed ministers?" Tong Guan spoke up, "His Majesty ordered him to form an alliance with the Jurchens, yet he secretly colluded with the Liao Dynasty. This is a crime of deceiving the Emperor!" Emperor Huizong remained silent. Cai Jing secretly observed Huizong's expression and, seeing the joy on his face, thought to himself, "His Majesty is highly talented and has always held himself in high regard. Although Wang Hao deceived the Emperor, he did not violate any of His Majesty's taboos, so he is unlikely to be guilty of a serious crime." He said, "We have not witnessed the Jin-Liao war firsthand, so it would be unfair to comment prematurely. Wang Hao, after all, braved the storms and personally went to dangerous places; his loyalty alone is enough to warrant further investigation. Moreover, Minister Tong's strategy of forming an alliance between the Song and Jin dynasties can still be implemented as planned."

Tong Guan, his tone unfriendly, said, "Wang Hao has already acted on his own initiative to cooperate with the Liao Kingdom. How can the Song-Jin alliance continue?" Cai Jing, with a sly smile, said, "Precisely because Wang Hao acted on his own initiative to cooperate with the Liao Kingdom, Your Majesty only needs to send another envoy to the Jin Kingdom." Tong Guan suddenly understood and said, "Grand Tutor Cai, do you mean that Your Majesty should ignore Wang Hao's cooperation with the Liao Kingdom and only recognize the Song-Jin alliance?" Cai Jing replied, "Exactly! The Jurchens are in the north, the Song Dynasty is in the south, and the Liao Kingdom..." Separated by the central border, the only practical agreement between the Song Dynasty and the Jurchens at present is a written treaty. However, the Liao Dynasty's ill-gotten gains are readily available, and it would be a pity not to take them. Tong Guan, who had always disliked Wang Hao, said directly, "That's fine. If the Jin Dynasty pursues the matter, Wang Hao will take the blame." Emperor Huizong suddenly turned from delight to anger, saying, "I am not a weak ruler. The mere Jurchens have no right to hold the Song Dynasty accountable!" Seeing this, everyone immediately knelt down and shouted, "Your Majesty is wise!"

Upon arriving in Tokyo, Wang Hao did not immediately go to the palace to meet the emperor, but instead went to Fanlou. Naturally, one couldn't visit Fanlou without seeing Li Shishi. Seeing Wang Hao arrive, Li Rongshang, who had been waiting for a long time, immediately stepped forward and said, "Congratulations on your triumphant return, young master!" Wang Hao smiled slightly and said, "Have the things I asked you to commission, Master Li, been completed?" Li Rongshang turned around and pointed to a large object covered in red silk behind him, saying, "Please look, young master!" The moment the red silk was lifted, a large tiger cast in pure gold appeared before Wang Hao. Looking at the golden tiger before him, Wang Hao felt a pang of pain, exclaiming, "A tiger cast from 66,000 taels of gold—truly extraordinary!" Li Rongshang pointed to the tiger's eyes and said, "I took the liberty of using two luminous pearls for the tiger's eyes; please forgive me, young master!" Wang Hao carefully examined the two pearls and exclaimed, "Clear and profound, perfectly natural! It's just that it has cost you so much, Master Li." Li Rongshang said, "Young master, you entered Liaodong and returned with 100,000 taels of gold in the blink of an eye. These two luminous pearls of mine..." "It's really nothing to mention!" Wang Hao, clearly sensing Li Rongshang's interest in Liaodong, said, "I am an official appointed by the court, and I will not compete with the people for profit. Regarding trade with Liaodong, I will hold a special meeting in Jiaozhou to discuss it with everyone after I finish my business in Dongjing!" Li Rongshang was surprised and said, "Does Your Excellency intend to discuss this with us merchants?" Wang Hao readily replied, "Supporting industry and commerce is one of the policies that Jiaozhou is actively implementing." Li Rongshang was flattered and said, "We merchants will certainly follow Your Excellency to the death!"

A moment later, Li Shishi also came downstairs. Wang Hao quickly bowed and said, "Greetings, sister!" Li Shishi looked at Wang Hao and said, "You truly are a demon king descended to earth. The raging waves couldn't stop you, the icy snow couldn't stop you, and the flames of war couldn't stop you. And you, not only unharmed, but also brought back 100,000 taels of gold. Truly unbelievable!" Wang Hao smiled awkwardly and said, "Whether I'm lucky or brave, I still have to rely on you, sister, for this hurdle!" Li Rongshang had already quietly left the room. Li Shishi said, "The Emperor ordered you to form an alliance with the Jurchens, yet you insisted on secretly colluding with the Liao. In all the world, perhaps no one is as audacious as you!" Wang Hao's smile faded, and he said, "Sister, do you believe that one day the flames of war from the Liao might directly reach the Song Dynasty, or even the capital, Tokyo?" Li Shishi shook her head, saying, "Brother, aren't you being too pessimistic? The Jurchens are still three thousand miles away; whether they can defeat the Liao is still unknown. How dare we fight the Song Dynasty again?" Wang Hao didn't know how to answer, saying, "I don't want the people of the Song Dynasty to suffer the ravages of war one day!" For the first time, Li Shishi saw worry on Wang Hao's face, saying, "So you disregarded the Emperor's decree and acted on your own to cooperate with the Liao, all to contain the Jurchens?" Wang Hao nodded, saying, "To strengthen the Song Dynasty and weaken the barbarians!"

Li Shishi, gazing at the golden tiger behind her, said, "Actually, this golden tiger doesn't have to be given to the Emperor. I've already received word that the Emperor will turn a blind eye to your cooperation with the Liao Kingdom!" Wang Hao looked at the golden tiger with reluctance and said, "I have already received so much imperial favor. If I can't even express this small token of my appreciation, how can I face the Emperor?" Li Shishi couldn't fully understand the relationship between Wang Hao and Emperor Huizong, and said, "The Emperor was born in the Year of the Tiger, and in seventeen days it will be the anniversary of his ascension to the throne." "A grand banquet will be held in the palace that day. You can take this opportunity to present this golden tiger to the Emperor!" Wang Hao nodded, then opened a wooden box he carried with him, took out a fine tiger skin, and said, "This tiger skin was also obtained by my brother in Liaodong, and I'm giving it to you, sister!" Li Shishi unconsciously glared at Wang Hao, reminding him, "The Emperor is born in the Year of the Tiger, and you've brought out a tiger skin. Aren't you afraid of offending the Emperor's majesty?" Wang Hao suddenly realized, and said, "I didn't think it through!" After saying that, he put the tiger skin back into the wooden box. Seeing Wang Hao's flustered appearance, Li Shishi felt a pang of pity and said, "I see that this tiger skin is extremely intact. Why don't you find a skilled craftsman to sew it back together, and then fill the inside with raw silk? It will surely restore the tiger's majesty from its life!"