"Out of 5,000 men, only 2,000 Hedong elites!"
"Deal!"
After taking a deep breath, Liang Shicheng agreed without hesitation.
After all, although those Hedong elites possessed formidable combat power, they were equally unruly. Despite Tong Guan's incompetence, he was precisely the sort of troublemaker needed to keep these proud and fierce soldiers in check.
Now that Tong Guan was seriously injured, if those men fell into his hands, there would be no one capable of controlling them.
Since they were within the territory of the Great Song, once they reached Hangzhou, with Han Mo there, they could have as many troops as they needed.
"There's one more thing. I need Tong Guan's military dispatch token!"
"Guards, go retrieve the token from Grand Councilor Tong!"
After taking a deep breath, Liang Shicheng immediately gave the order without hesitation.
"Yes!"
"Thank you, Grand Tutor!"
Seeing Liang Shicheng's cooperation, Fan Zheng Guo also breathed a sigh of relief.
Leaving these troops behind would grant them much more flexibility, regardless of how the imperial court intended to proceed.
"Your thanks are undeserved! In this time of national crisis, I can only follow along..."
Liang Shicheng trailed off, feeling embarrassed to continue.
"Everyone in officialdom has their difficulties. I do not blame you, Grand Tutor. However, when the storm has passed, please remember to urge the Retired Emperor to head north!"
Since things had reached this point, and Liang Shicheng had agreed to everything he requested, Fan Zheng Guo did not press the matter further. In reality, Liang Shicheng and his entourage leaving the city of Bianliang was also beneficial to Fan Zheng Guo and his faction.
"Prime Minister Fan..."
Fan Zheng Guo's words made Liang Shicheng's eyes well up with tears.
After all, his own assets in Bianliang were worth millions of strings of cash!
Now, with a single word from the emperor, he had to abandon his family and property and flee with him. How could anyone feel comfortable about that?
"Grand Tutor, here is the token!"
As the two stood in silent contemplation, a soldier rushed back, holding a token.
"Please deliver this token to His Majesty on my behalf!"
After casting a lingering glance at the token, Liang Shicheng handed it to Fan Zheng Guo.
"Grand Tutor, travel safely!"
Upon receiving the token, Fan Zheng Guo finally felt a sense of relief.
"Travel safely!"
After cupping his hands in farewell to Fan Zheng Guo, Liang Shicheng turned and returned to report.
"Lord Zhang!"
Only after Liang Shicheng's figure disappeared into the night did Fan Zheng Guo call out to Zhang Shaoyou again.
"Prime Minister!"
"Take this token and hasten to Prince Xin's residence. Please ask His Highness to come to the military camp and take command!"
After a moment's hesitation, Fan Zheng Guo finally decided to temporarily entrust the token to Zhao Zhen.
After all, at this sensitive juncture, it was more reassuring to have it in Zhao Zhen's possession than in the hands of those generals with ulterior motives.
If it came down to it, and he had to choose between Zhao Huan and Zhao Zhen, he would rather trust Zhao Zhen.
Since Zhao Huan ascended the throne, while there had been no significant changes at the prime ministerial level, the reshuffling of mid- and lower-ranking officials had been constant.
Anyone associated with the Crown Prince, regardless of their talent or capability, had been promoted.
Zhao Zhen, as the only prince with military achievements among all the imperial princes, was in a precarious position.
From any perspective, Fan Zheng Guo did not want to see Zhao Zhen fall.
With these one hundred thousand troops, Zhao Zhen's position would finally be solidified.
"Yes!"
Upon hearing Fan Zheng Guo's words, Zhang Shaoyou immediately understood the significance of the token.
"Remember this, no matter what happens, this token can only be given to Prince Xin. This is a matter of life and death!"
Glancing once more at the officials following behind him, Fan Zheng Guo lowered his voice and said cautiously.
"Prime Minister, rest assured, I understand!"
After a long period of hesitation, Fan Zheng Guo patted Zhang Shaoyou heavily on the shoulder before handing him the token.
At that very moment, Zhao Zhen was pacing restlessly in his official residence.
Wang Xiang and Zhong Shidao were seated in his study, while Qin Hui, whose status was far inferior, could only stand by, awaiting news from outside.
"Master Wang, Old General Zhong, must we simply wait here?"
Finally, Zhao Zhen could no longer contain his impatience.
"Your Highness, this is an extraordinary time. Tonight is your last chance, but the opportunity is not in your hands. We can only wait!"
Seeing Zhao Zhen's agitation, Wang Xiang finally spoke.
Too many people were watching Zhao Zhen. Wang Xiang could guess without even investigating that Wang Zongchu was undoubtedly monitoring his every move with Imperial City Guard spies.
As soon as Zhao Zhen dared to overstep, these people would arrest him without hesitation.
Their only hope was to gamble on Fan Zheng Guo's intentions!
To gamble that Fan Zheng Guo would directly give the token to Zhao Zhen, rather than to the emperor!
"But Fan Zheng Guo is already Prime Minister. Does he still need to curry favor with me?"
Zhao Zhen understood what Wang Xiang was saying. Fan Zheng Guo was different from Wang Xiang; he was the son of Fan Wenzheng.
Everyone in the empire could be suspected of rebellion, but anyone who dared to suggest that Fan Wenzheng's son would rebel would be condemned by all scholars.
In the Great Song Dynasty, the name Fan Zhongyan represented moral perfection!
If Zhao Huan had not become emperor, Fan Zheng Guo would have wholeheartedly assisted Zhao Zhen. But now, Zhao Huan was the emperor.
Would Fan Zheng Guo continue to support him unconditionally as before?
At the very least, Zhao Zhen's own resolve had wavered...
"Your Highness, do you know why the two of us are here tonight?"
Seeing Zhao Zhen's anxious demeanor, Zhong Shidao suddenly spoke.
"Why..."
"Because I believe that only Your Highness can resolve the current crisis facing the Great Song! If Your Highness meets misfortune, the collapse of the Great Song will be imminent! I, Zhong, am willing to advance and retreat with Your Highness!"
After a moment's hesitation, Zhong Shidao said earnestly.
Unlike Wang Xiang, his reputation was deeply stained. Zhong Shidao, as the most senior marshal in the court, could soon regain his current status if he made the right choice.
However, at such a critical moment tonight, he had still chosen to stand by Zhao Zhen's side.
After all, any discerning person could see that if that token entered the imperial palace, Zhao Zhen would likely meet a sudden death tonight.
"Old General..."