"Yes, he also said that Yelü Dashi had a message for me!"
Looking at Tong Guan's unpredictable face, the young eunuch quickly said.
"Help me change!"
After taking a few deep breaths, Tong Guan finally calmed down again and quickly instructed.
A quarter of an hour later, Tong Guan finally met Ma Kuo again.
"Sir!"
No matter what kind of person Tong Guan was, he was the commander-in-chief of the Song army, and he had given Ma Kuo and his son a great opportunity. Seeing Tong Guan again, Ma Kuo couldn't help but cry out.
"You've worked hard this time. Come, quickly bring him some wine and food!"
Seeing the dust on his face, Tong Guan was filled with emotion.
After all, among the envoys sent out, Ma Kuo was the only one who seemed to have returned.
As for the others, they had all had their heads cut off.
"Sir, Yelü Dashi asked me to bring you a message. He said that the Liao and Song dynasties have been at peace for a hundred years; the alliance treaty is still valid; you can deceive the nation, but you cannot deceive heaven..."
After hastily eating something, Ma Kuo briefly recounted his diplomatic mission and finally relayed Yelü Dashi's words.
"When you returned, what was the situation with the Liao army?"
After listening to Ma Kuo, although his face was ugly, Tong Guan still suppressed his anger and asked again.
"Although the Liao army is small, Yelü Dashi is a famous general after all. With him here, this Baigou..."
Although Ma Kuo did not continue, Tong Guan naturally understood his meaning.
At this point, he himself was a little confused.
In the Battle of Baigou, he had deployed a total of 150,000 troops, but in the end, they were defeated by a mere 30,000 Liao troops, and even a general died!
Could it be that the Liao people were truly not yet destined to perish?
"Sir?"
Seeing Tong Guan's silence, Ma Kuo tentatively asked.
"Ah?"
"I'm fine. You've worked hard this time. You should go back and rest!"
"Thank you, sir!"
Although his objective was not achieved this time, at least he had returned alive. Ma Kuo suddenly realized that he no longer had any ambition to achieve great deeds.
He left Tong Guan's tent and returned directly to his own.
The defeat at Baigou made Tong Guan temporarily lose his confidence to continue the attack. At this moment, all the pressure was on him.
In order to secure his power, Tong Guan had to pick up his pen again and start writing his memorial to the emperor.
He knew in his heart that such a major defeat could not be borne by a mere prefect of Xiong Prefecture, He Shen.
For this reason, he had to divide the blame into five parts again, dragging out the already deceased Yang Keshi, the defeated Xin Qizong, the prefect of Xiong Prefecture He Shen, the guardian of Gaoyang Pass Hou Yi, and the recently escaped Ma Kuo.
Only after sending off the memorial did Tong Guan heave a sigh of relief and begin to write the second letter.
He himself was very clear about what had happened this time. Even if he tried to shirk responsibility, he would have to find someone to help him speak for him.
Early the next morning, the two letters sent by express post finally arrived in Bianliang City.
"Your Highness, this is a letter that Commander Tong just sent someone to deliver. Please take a look..."
At Prince Yun's mansion, as Zhao Kai was about to go out, Cai You suddenly approached him.
"Commander Tong?"
Hearing him say this, Zhao Kai also immediately became nervous.
Tong Guan and he were allies, especially at this time. Cai Jing had already begun to consolidate his own power, and Tong Guan's help was even more precious.
"This is not a place to talk. Come to the study with me!"
Although the position of Director of the Imperial City Department was still in his hands at this time, Zhao Kai had always vaguely felt that there was a force within the Imperial City Department that had never belonged to him.
After looking around, Zhao Kai lowered his voice and said.
"Yes!"
Cai You did not say much more and followed Zhao Kai all the way to the study before handing the letter to Zhao Kai.
After carefully checking the wax seal on the letter and confirming that it was intact, Zhao Kai carefully picked up a small knife on the table and opened the envelope.
"Hiss—"
After reading the contents of the letter, even the bold Zhao Kai couldn't help but gasp.
He had some guesses about the war situation on the front lines before, but he had never received confirmation.
Now that Tong Guan had laid everything bare and explained it clearly, Zhao Kai was at a loss as to what to do.
"You read the contents of the letter first, and then we'll talk!"
After hesitating, Zhao Kai still handed the letter directly to Cai You.
After all, he and Cai You were already in the same boat.
If he fell into trouble, Cai You would definitely not escape.
"Yes!"
After taking the letter from Zhao Kai, Cai You quickly read it.
After he finished reading the entire letter, he realized that Commander Tong was indeed ruthless.
He had piled all the blame onto five subordinates, thus clearing himself completely.
"What do you say?"
Seeing him put down the letter, Zhao Kai asked.
"It might be difficult to handle now. Yang Keshi is already dead, but Xin Qizong, He Shen, Hou Yi, and Ma Kuo are all alive. Especially Ma Kuo, the Emperor might personally interrogate him..."
After carefully choosing his words, Cai You said hesitantly.
After all, times had changed. Cai Jing's return to power had caught him completely off guard.
If they made any major moves at this time, it would definitely attract Cai Jing's retaliation.
However, if they did not act, the Crown Prince would not easily let Tong Guan go, and they were in a dilemma.
"We can only help him cover up the matters in the imperial court and deal with the Crown Prince's accusations. As for whether they can be silenced, that will depend on his own ability!"
After pondering for a long time, Zhao Kai finally made up his mind.
Tong Guan's help was indeed very important to him. Helping him solve some problems was within reason, but it absolutely did not include sacrificing himself.
Up to this point, his eyes were still fixed on the dragon throne. Before achieving his ultimate goal, how could he possibly expend his vital forces on such matters...