Chapter 107: The Scenery of the Northern Land

Page 1 of 3

It was no exaggeration to describe Li Shishi as an extraordinary woman. Zhao Yu had certainly not misjudged her.

When she heard that Liu Heizi and the others had been sent by Zhao Yu to seek refuge with her, Li Shishi accepted them without a word, publicly claiming that she had hired them as household guards.

Liu Heizi and the others had a mission to fulfill, so remaining idle was out of the question. But they had been far too conspicuous in Bianliang, and sooner or later someone was bound to notice them and trace them back to Li Shishi.

How could the Kaifeng Prefecture not know that Li Shishi was Emperor Huizong’s favored woman? Yet these men were Zhao Yu’s subordinates. If the prefecture failed to make even a token gesture, they would certainly face considerable trouble if someone later demanded an explanation.

Liu Xiantang was clearly a man of extraordinary ability. With this move, he had not only cleared himself of responsibility but had conveniently thrown the problem back at the emperor.

What could Huizong do? He could hardly provoke his beauty’s displeasure over a few petty ruffians.

Thus, although the Kaifeng constables appeared to retreat in disgrace, the truth was that they had never intended to arrest anyone.

Before long, someone drove a large cart out of Li Shishi’s residence. Once it left the city, it headed north...

The petty nonsense unfolding in Bianliang held not the slightest interest for Zhao Yu, for he had already embarked on his journey to Huining.

Before the party had even reached Zhongjing Dading Prefecture, Yan Qing caught up with them from behind. While reporting on the trip to Taiyuan, he also informed Zhao Yu that both Lin Chong and Wu Song had accepted Yelü Min’s appointments and become two of the commanders in the Youzhou army.

Upon hearing Yan Qing’s report, Zhao Yu revealed a gratified smile. At last, his two elder brothers had understood his intentions. He could now set out on his distant journey without worry.

What Zhao Yu had not expected was that Yan Qing had also brought him a letter from Yelü Huan. Calling it a letter was generous; it contained only a few words:

“Youzhou will forever be Your Highness’s Youzhou!”

Yelü Huan had been the commander of the guard unit that first welcomed Zhao Yu beyond the frontier. He had witnessed all of Zhao Yu’s methods, and Zhao Yu could sense that he was a clearheaded man. Though the message was brief, it revealed enough.

After consigning the short letter to the flames, Zhao Yu suddenly felt a surge of heroic spirit.

“So they’re only Jurchen barbarians, are they? Then this young master will come and see what you’re made of...”

It was already mid-February, yet the northern lands remained sealed beneath miles of ice, with snow swirling across countless leagues. Once they left the towns, all they could see was a vast expanse of white between heaven and earth—not a single human figure in sight.

Having lived in the north for several months, Zhao Yu had grown accustomed to the cold. To make travel more convenient, he ordered the soldiers to remove the wheels from the carts and reshape their undersides into sleds. As expected, their speed increased dramatically.

Sleds were hardly a novelty in this era. But they were used by the poor. The nobles of the Liao Empire considered them beneath their dignity, while the Liao army had long since lost its wildness. Its soldiers cared only about comfort and had no interest in hardship.

Page 1 of 3

Page 2 of 3

Han Shizhong and Yan Qing, however, were seeing such a contraption for the first time, and their admiration for Zhao Yu grew even greater.

Zhao Yu chuckled inwardly. Don’t rush. Once I build you a hot-air balloon, you can admire me all you like.

Amid the driving snow, a swift rider suddenly appeared in the distance. Only when he had drawn near did he call out loudly, “Is that the retinue of His Highness, the Prince of Song?”

The commander escorting Zhao Yu was the Khitan Yelü Buhua, a man with a corpse-like face and an unpleasant, gloomy manner. He rarely took the initiative to speak to Zhao Yu, behaving as though they were strangers.

There was no need for Yelü Buhua to issue an order. A soldier had already ridden forward. After exchanging a few words with the newcomer, he galloped back.

“Your Highness, Marshal Xiao has sent men to welcome you. The army is stationed twenty miles ahead.”

There was only one Marshal Xiao stationed in the northern region of the Liao Empire: Xiao S先’s younger brother, Xiao Sixian.

Zhao Yu had met him in the Upper Capital. He was a man with neither wit nor ability. Were it not for his connection to Xiao Fengxian, he would probably have struggled even to become a common officer. Why, then, was he being so courteous as to come and welcome Zhao Yu personally?

Before Zhao Yu could say anything, Yelü Buhua frowned and said, “His Highness has little time to spare. How could he possibly meet outsiders? Go and reply—ah!”

Before he could finish, Zhao Yu struck him hard across the face with his riding crop.

“You filthy cur! Who do you think you are? Do you have the right to make decisions for me?”

Yelü Buhua flew into a rage. His hand instinctively closed around the hilt of his sword, but in the end he did not draw it. He could only say resentfully, “His Majesty has decreed that Your Highness must arrive before the funeral of the Jin emperor. Are you planning to defy the imperial command?”

“When a general is in the field, the emperor’s orders do not always apply. I’m in charge here, so you’d better keep your mouth shut.”

With that, Zhao Yu ignored Yelü Buhua and urged his horse forward. Yan Qing and Han Shizhong followed close behind.

Seeing this, Yelü Buhua spat bitterly and muttered, “Let’s see how long you can keep acting so proud.”

Though his heart was filled with resentment, he had no choice but to lead the men after them.

The twenty-mile journey passed in the blink of an eye. Xiao Sixian had brought five thousand troops out to meet them, so the camp was quite large. From a distance, one could already see felt tents scattered about like mushrooms. Xiao Sixian’s command tent rose above the center of the camp like a crane among chickens, making it impossible to miss.

Although Marshal Xiao claimed to have come to welcome Zhao Yu, he did no more than receive him at the entrance of the tent.

Page 2 of 3

Page 3 of 3

“Thank you for coming so far to welcome me, Marshal Xiao. Zhao Yu is deeply obliged.”

As courteous and modest as ever, Zhao Yu cupped his hands in greeting from a distance.

Xiao Sixian arranged a false smile upon his face. “Prince of Song, it has been a long time. I trust you have been well.”

In truth, he had not wanted to come at all. His younger sister, the imperial concubine, had sent someone with a letter insisting that certain clothes, silver, and other items be personally delivered into Zhao Yu’s hands.

Those things had all been sent by Xiao Yiyi. Fearing that Xiao Yiyi might run away to find Zhao Yu, they had placed her under house arrest. But no matter what, she was still the Empress Dowager’s most beloved niece, and even Consort Xiao did not dare offend her.

Zhao Yu acted as though he had not noticed Xiao Sixian’s attitude. Smiling broadly, he said, “Marshal Xiao, how has your luck been lately? Would you like your brother here to teach you a few tricks?”

Mahjong had already made its way into the upper echelons of Liao society. After meals, the officials and nobles hardly knew what to do with themselves if they did not play a few rounds.

Limited by his intelligence, Xiao Sixian invariably lost and never won, yet he was also the most addicted of them all. Hearing Zhao Yu’s words, he could not help asking, “Could there really be some secret to the game?”

“Heh heh! Of course there is. Marshal Xiao, don’t forget who invented it. If you were anyone else, I wouldn’t tell you. By the way, how is Yiyi doing? Has she been mistreated?”

Xiao Sixian’s heart itched at Zhao Yu’s promise, but then Zhao Yu asked about Xiao Yiyi’s condition. The meaning was obvious: Without news of my wife, I won’t teach you a thing.

Nine out of ten gambling games involved deception. The question was whether one had the nerve to cheat shamelessly. Zhao Yu could not bring himself to do such a thing, but he had no qualms about teaching others.

Xiao Sixian took a bundle from one of his men and handed it to Zhao Yu.

“The princess is the Empress Dowager’s most cherished jewel. You needn’t worry about her. You’d be better off thinking about yourself... You and I are practically brothers, so hurry up and teach me. How can I turn my losses into wins at mahjong?”

He had spoken too quickly and nearly let something slip, forcing himself to swallow the rest with considerable difficulty.

Holding the bundle against his chest, Zhao Yu smiled.

“Before anything else, brother, tell me this: Are you afraid of being beaten?”

Page 3 of 3