I Can Control My Ancestors

But the soldiers still trusted him immensely, and at this moment, their eyes couldn’t help but brighten.

Then Liu Jiye chatted with them for a moment.

Only then did he rise again and head outside the tent.

He had just stepped out of the tent.

That feeling of ease instantly dissipated, and his brow furrowed deeply at this moment.

Drive the tiger away to lure the wolf...

Liu Jiye didn’t know who would win between the Song and the Liao.

He didn’t care about it at all.

In fact, he had long ago reported that getting too close to Liao wasn’t a good idea, after all, the Liao was founded by the Khitan. Compared to the Song Kingdom, which had acquired the Gu Clan, they were really far behind.

But unfortunately, Liu Jiyuan didn’t listen.

And now all of this, in his eyes, was just driving the tiger to lure the wolf.

No matter whether he could survive this ordeal or not.

It was not a good thing for the Great Han.

Even if the Song couldn’t defeat Northern Han, sooner or later, Liao would certainly swallow Northern Han.

To him.

He would rather fall at the hands of the Great Song than at the hands of the Liao.

It’s a pity that these thoughts could only be kept in his heart.

He could never surrender.

No matter how one looked at it, Northern Han was unlikely to escape from the current situation, and he must defend Taiyuan!

In the grand scheme of things, Gu Yi also noticed all of this.

If he remembered correctly, this Liu Jiye seemed to be the origin of the Yang family.

Although in true history.

The Yang family wasn’t as legendary as in the stories, they were indeed very loyal and brave.

He really didn’t expect that a member of the Gu Clan would encounter this person under such circumstances.

However, he didn’t deliberately do anything.

The Yang family was indeed extraordinary.

At least in the Northern Song dynasty, their status could be considered transcendent.

But now that history had already been altered, why interfere deliberately?

Not to mention, in the original history, after Northern Han’s fall, Liu Jiye had surrendered to the Great Song, though it was many years later.

What he truly cared about now was whether Gu Jin could break through Taiyuan!

...

The strength of the Song Army was indeed formidable.

Even though Zhao Kuangyin and Gu Jin did not personally lead the troops.

But with the main forces of Liao not having arrived, the two groups sent by Wang Yingchen were ultimately unable to withstand the onslaught of the Song Army and were subsequently defeated.

Of course, it wasn’t a total defeat either!

In summary—

They destroyed the vanguard of Liao and seized the two key locations it pointed towards.

This was a tactical game.

However, Liao continued to send troops.

As Wang Yingchen had said, it was impossible for Liao to let Zhao Kuangyin break Northern Han, at least for now, they were unwilling to clash directly with the Great Song.

However, be it Zhao Kuangyin or Gu Jin, neither cared about this.

Their target was solely Taiyuan in front of them.

In the Song camp, inside the main tent.

"Your Majesty."

Gu Jin hurriedly walked in, a look of ecstasy on his face: "I have just received news, our troops have finally found Liu Jiwen!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Kuangyin was instantly overjoyed.

He even stood up immediately, staring closely at Gu Jin: "Really?"

"Indeed!"

Gu Jin nodded, handing over the secret message in his hand.

Zhao Kuangyin took it and immediately burst into laughter: "Truly, heaven is assisting me!"

He was extremely delighted.

Even Gu Jin couldn’t help but laugh.

Indeed, he was still planning to use psychological tactics!

Targeting the royalty of Northern Han!

Although it required crossing Taiyuan with blood, it wasn’t about sending soldiers to their deaths without reason.

With the ceaseless rain, the Song Army simply couldn’t risk attacking Taiyuan, this formidable fortress.

And this was the current sole opportunity!

The issue within Northern Han’s royal family was highly complex, involving not only the royalty but also influential ministers and even intervention from Liao.

There were too many vulnerabilities for Gu Jin to exploit.

As to why Liu Jiwen was chosen.

The reason is equally simple.

—Liu Jiwen is the direct grandson of Liu Chong, the founding Emperor of Northern Han, making him the most legitimate royal with the purest bloodline. However, due to being in Liao at the time of turmoil in the palace, he missed the opportunity to become Emperor.

Including the current Emperor Liu Jiyuan, and other royals.

They are also very much against him.

Causing him to be on the run throughout the entire Northern Han border.

This alone is enough to show what kind of feelings Liu Jiwen harbors towards the current Northern Han royals and even towards Liao.

Zhao Kuangyin’s laughter subsided as he looked at Gu Jin again, with a thoughtful tone: "Does Huaiyu think this plan could succeed?"

Gu Jin responded without hesitation, solemnly: "Be assured, Your Majesty, I will do my utmost to fulfill my duties."

Once again, the monarch and his minister smiled at each other.

Despite not saying anything explicitly.

They seemed to understand what the other was thinking.

....

Longzhou State.

Liu Jiwen’s days have indeed been tough lately.

His identity had already destined him for this.

In truth, Liu Jiwen originally had a very good chance to become Emperor. After all, among the many royals, he had the deepest ties with Liao.

As long as Liao was willing to support him, making him the Emperor of Northern Han would not be a difficult matter.

But unfortunately—

Wang Yingchen is a very rigid person, always prioritizing Liao’s interests.

After Liu Jiyuan vowed allegiance to Liao.

He completely gave up on Liu Jiwen.

No matter how deep Liu Jiwen’s ties were with Liao, what did that matter?

As long as there was no need to use the military, Wang Yingchen would not deploy troops.

And because of this.

When the other Northern Han royals heard of this, it only made Liu Jiwen’s situation more precarious.

His bloodline had already determined his fate.

Without Liao’s support, death was the only thing that awaited him.

At this moment, in a small city on the border between Northern Han and Liao.

Liu Jiwen stared at the man before him who claimed to be an envoy of the Gu Clan, a mocking smile on his lips: "You say... the Emperor of the Song Kingdom and the Patriarch of the Gu Clan, are willing to help me seize the throne?"

It was as if he had heard the funniest joke in the world, almost laughing out loud.

But the other party remained calm and unperturbed, causing an inexplicable agitation in Liu Jiwen’s heart. With a "clang", he drew his sword from his waist, its cold gleam pointing directly at the man, his voice suddenly turning cold: "Hmph!"

"Do you truly think— that I wouldn’t dare to kill you?"

"You even dare to use some scheme to sow discord against me."

"How hard is it for the King to kill me?" As a personal bodyguard who followed Gu Jin since childhood, Xie Bo showed no fear at Liu Jiwen’s reaction, directly meeting his gaze, his tone calm: "But killing me, will it save the King’s life?"

Liu Jiwen’s expression suddenly changed.

Xie Bo gave him no time to think, continuing on with clarity in his words: "The King should know, currently our Song Army is besieging Taiyuan."

"Taiyuan has always been a mighty pass, and now the timing is unfavourable for our forces."

"Has the King considered—"

"If our army cannot breach the city this time... what then?"

He paused slightly, then suddenly smiled a smile that sent a chill down Liu Jiwen’s spine: "At that time, your brother’s throne will only become more secure, and Liao... will most certainly abandon you."

"At that time, does the King think there will be a path to survival?"

—Just this sentence, like a cold arrow through the heart, struck at Liu Jiwen’s deepest fear.

He indeed could only rely on Liao’s support to stay alive.

"My Lord."

Seeing Liu Jiwen silent, Xie Bo again clasped his hands respectfully, his voice steady and clear: "Our Great Song moves north this time truly because Northern Han’s close ties with Liao have violated a major taboo of the Central Plains."

"But if the King is willing to join hands with our court...."

He paid a respectful bow towards the south, continuing: "Once the matter is accomplished, our court’s Emperor is willing to forge a brotherly alliance with the King, pledging not to invade Northern Han, and to maintain eternal harmony."

"More so, we are willing to send troops as a shield to help the King— hold off Liao’s military forces."

Xie Bo was not a trained persuader, there was no circumlocution in his words, every intention was expressed extremely straightforwardly.

Yet it was precisely this unvarnished frankness that proved exceptionally powerful at this moment.

Liu Jiwen did not respond immediately, nor did he make any promises.

But as he slowly re-sheathed his sword, it silently spoke of his inner turmoil.

He indeed had no other choice.

Regardless of his ambition for the imperial throne, even if only to preserve his own life, he had to take this gamble.

The room was silent, you could hear a pin drop.

After a long silence, Liu Jiwen finally slowly raised his head, looking deeply at Xie Bo, his voice low and earnest: "What do the Song Monarch and Lord Gu... want from me?"

...

(Ps: At the beginning of the month, seeking monthly votes, earnestly pleading for brothers’ support, the author is deeply grateful.)