Chapter 114: Mastery with Ease

Zhao Yu, the freshly minted Privy Councilor of the Great Jin, found that his treatment remained unchanged. He possessed no official credentials or seals, and aside from Yan Qing and Han Shizhong, he had not been granted a single servant or bodyguard. It seemed as though everyone had forgotten this matter, and Zhao Yu himself was more than happy to pretend he had forgotten it as well. There is a saying that too much is as bad as too little; if one pushes things too far, they appear disingenuous.

By the beginning of the third month, the air still held a lingering chill, yet the breath of spring was already present. The northern wind, brushing against his face, felt significantly gentler. As he rode slowly through the streets of Huining, Zhao Yu’s mind had already wandered far away. In truth, he had not lacked opportunities to escape while on the road, but he felt he needed to buy more time for Lin Chong and Wu Song. He also wished to visit Huining to see if the Jurchen tribes remained united after Aguda’s death and to determine if he could incite infighting among them.

It appeared now that the seeds had been sown; whether they would sprout and bear fruit would likely require further maneuvering and time. Zhao Yu was confident that his proposal for a secret ballot would be adopted by the Jurchens. Aguda had been dead for several months, and if the next leader were easy to choose, it would have been settled long ago. If the Jurchens were to select their new leader through this method, it would inevitably breed resentment—which was precisely the outcome Zhao Yu desired. Only by throwing the Jurchens into disarray would he find an opening to escape.

Zhao Yu rode slowly, knowing someone would inevitably come looking for him. After all, the mine he had planted was quite substantial. Indeed, before he could return to the inn, he heard someone shouting from behind: "Lord Zhao! Lord Zhao, please stay!"

Hearing this title suddenly, Zhao Yu felt a sense of absurdity. Had his status changed too quickly? He reined in his horse and turned to see a man dressed as a Jurchen guard galloping toward him. Upon reaching Zhao Yu, the man reined in his mount and cupped his hands. "Lord Zhao, my master, the Bogoli, requests your presence."

"Which Bogoli?"

"Lord Zonggan."

Zhao Yu nodded, just about to agree, when another horse galloped up. "Your Highness, Prince of Song, my master, the Bogoli, invites you to his residence for a discussion."

Zhao Yu couldn't help but chuckle. He glanced at the first rider and smiled. "Both Bogolis have invited me; which one should I visit?"

The first rider said, "I arrived first, so naturally you should come to my master's place."

The second rider smiled slightly. "Your Highness may not know, but hearing that you are staying at an inn, my master, the Bogoli, has specifically prepared a residence for you, fully staffed with servants and maids, waiting for you to move in."

I'll be damned, this kid knows how to play the game.

Zhao Yu spread his hands toward the first rider. "My apologies, friend, but your master's sincerity does not match the other's. I must say I am sorry. Farewell!" Turning to the second rider, he said, "Lead the way!"

The first rider, seeing this, shouted angrily, "Lord Zhao, you are openly challenging Lord Zonggan! Have you considered the consequences?"

Before Zhao Yu could speak, the second rider spurred his horse between Zhao Yu and the other man, sneering, "Lord Zonggan is so imposing, but do you think our Lord Xieye is afraid?"

"You!"

Seeing that the guards representing the two major factions were about to clash, Zhao Yu knew it was his turn to step in. He furrowed his brows and said coldly, "What are you doing? Creating a scene in the street—are you not afraid of losing face for your masters?"

He then addressed the first rider: "Go back and tell Lord Zonggan that it is not that this Prince is being negligent; it is simply that I did not see Lord Zonggan’s sincerity."

Ignoring him further, he gestured to the second rider and rode off. The first rider watched their retreating figures with a cold snort before turning to leave.

Meanwhile, Wanyan Zonghan and Wanyan Xiyin were also discussing Zhao Yu. "I did not expect this member of the Zhao family to be so young yet so knowledgeable. I had heard there were many talents in the Central Plains, and it is true."

Wanyan Xiyin remained noncommittal toward Zonghan’s remark. After a moment of contemplation, he said slowly, "This man is ambitious; we must not let him live."

"Are you saying he is provoking internal strife among us Jurchens? I doubt he has such ability!" Although Wanyan Zonghan was brilliant, he was clearly not a conspiracy theorist, and in truth, he had a decent impression of Zhao Yu.

"Zonghan, you are too honest. This boy claims it was our people who killed Aguda, but he never specified who. This inevitably leads to wild speculation. He claims to fear causing internal strife, but in reality, he has already sown the seeds of suspicion. It may not be apparent now, but it will lead to trouble sooner or later."

"Then what do you suggest?"

After Wanyan Zonghan finished speaking, Wanyan Xiyin gave a sinister smile. "Did I not say before? Since he misses Aguda so much, why not send him underground to see him?"

"Very well! On the day of Aguda’s funeral, we shall have this boy buried with him."

In their conversation, the two Jurchen power players had already sealed Zhao Yu’s fate. Unfortunately for them, they were not the ones who truly decided such matters. Zhao Yu had not left Aguda’s palace long ago; how could Wanyan Xieye have arranged everything in such a short time? Claiming to have prepared a mansion was merely a ruse to bring Zhao Yu to him as quickly as possible.

Of course, if Zhao Yu were sensible, these details would not be an issue. When Zhao Yu arrived at Wanyan Xieye’s mansion, the wine and food were already prepared, waiting for him to take his seat. Aside from Wanyan Xieye, Wanyan Ang was also present. It was said that when brothers are of one mind, their strength can cut through metal, but Zhao Yu always felt there was something wrong with Wanyan Ang.

"Haha! The arrival of the Prince of Song brings great honor to my humble home! Please, take a seat!" Wanyan Xieye, desperate to become the leader of the Jurchens, had recently been emulating Wuqimai by reading several books by the Han people, so he was able to toss out a few idioms.

Wanyan Ang, sitting to the side, also smiled. "Your Highness, we meet again."

Zhao Yu was a man of the world; he was more adept at this superficial posturing than anyone. As he stepped into the hall, he bowed to both men. "I have kept you two lords waiting for so long. It is my fault, my fault. I shall drink three cups as a penalty to express my apologies."

"See, brother! I told you the Prince of Song would surely come!" Wanyan Ang said, affectionately pulling Zhao Yu to sit beside him. Anyone who didn't know better would think the two brothers were the closest of friends.

Zhao Yu did not refuse; after expressing his gratitude, he sat down next to Wanyan Ang. Wanyan Xieye raised his glass first and smiled. "I have been so busy that I have been negligent toward the Prince of Song. I shall toast you first."

Zhao Yu hurriedly stood up, holding his cup with both hands. "If Lord Xieye speaks this way, you are not treating me as a brother. If we are to speak of such things, it is my unforgivable sin for not visiting you immediately upon my arrival."

"Haha! Let us drink, let us drink. Let us not speak of such unpleasant matters. The Prince of Song shall stay at my residence for now; once your own mansion is prepared, I will personally see you off with great ceremony."

"I am indebted to you, Lord. Please, drink!" Zhao Yu said, offering a toast to Wanyan Xieye from across the table.

After both Zhao Yu and Wanyan Xieye finished their wine, Wanyan Ang spoke bluntly, "You Han people speak in such flowery, roundabout ways; it sounds awkward. Since you will be staying with us for a long time, you must learn to speak like me."

Changing his tone, he asked, "Brother, do you truly know who killed the Great Khan?"