Chapter 115: Preparing to Escape

“Who exactly killed Aguda?”

It seemed like a question that demanded an answer, yet how could one respond? After all, the true mastermind was sitting right before Wanyan Xieye and Wanyan Ang.

Fortunately, Zhao Yu had already prepared himself mentally before the wild speculations began.

With a slight sigh, he said, “My lords, everything I have said so far is merely conjecture without any concrete evidence. Unless I am given ample time to investigate thoroughly, prematurely releasing these assumptions will only throw the Jurchens into chaos.”

“Though we are not of the same people, I am a man who cherishes peace, and I wish to tell you both that if a race wants to grow strong, it must first ensure unity and promote peaceful development.”

Zhao Yu spoke earnestly, but he knew it was futile. The Jurchens were still an uncivilized people who revered violence, believing it to be the solution to all problems.

Wanyan Xieye frowned and interjected, “We understand what the Song king says, but if we do not root out the traitors, how can the Jurchens grow strong? Giving you time is not impossible, but with the grand election imminent, if the tribal leaders remain unaware and end up choosing a hypocritical murderer, it will be too late for any objections. Even the Song king’s life might be at risk then.”

“Brother is right. Before the Great Khan’s funeral, this thief must be caught to comfort the Khan’s spirit in the heavens,” Wanyan Ang said, looking at Zhao Yu with encouraging eyes.

If Zhao Yu had not interacted with him before, he might have been fooled by this rough-looking man.

“Very well! Let us analyze the situation. I mentioned several suspicious points at the palace earlier; my lords, please recall them.”

“First, who knew the Great Khan’s whereabouts best? Was there anyone who was supposed to stay by the Khan’s side but suddenly left on an urgent matter? Most importantly, who had the authority to allocate the explosives?”

Zhao Yu had indeed raised these points before. On the way back, Wanyan Xieye had been pondering the matter, but for Wanyan Ang, this was the first time hearing Zhao Yu’s analysis.

After Zhao Yu finished, Wanyan Ang mused for a moment and said, “There must be many who knew the Khan’s movements; each tribe’s army also had explosives, so investigating this angle might be difficult. As for who should have been by the Khan’s side but left suddenly, that should be easier to find out…”

Before he finished speaking, the silent Wanyan Xieye suddenly said, “I know who it is!”

Zhao Yu was startled by Wanyan Xieye’s words but quickly recovered. Regardless of whether this man guessed right or not, he was probably trying to frame someone.

Wanyan Ang’s eyes flickered; his thoughts seemed similar to Zhao Yu’s, yet he could ask, whereas Zhao Yu could not bring himself to speak.

“Brother, who do you think it is?”

“Ha, ha… Let’s drink, let’s drink! That’s enough for now. After the Khan’s funeral, we will investigate thoroughly.”

Seeing Wanyan Xieye say this, Zhao Yu felt relieved. Thankfully, this man was not foolish and knew to be wary of Wanyan Ang.

Wanyan Ang inwardly resented this but could say no more. This man was clearly better at disguise and, following Wanyan Xieye’s lead, began urging them to drink…

The three of them were assigned to a separate courtyard with attendants. Yet Zhao Yu knew he was little more than a prisoner.

Wanyan Xieye likely kept him confined for fear that Zhao Yu might repeat his analysis to others, possibly turning suspicion onto him.

Though served by maids and servants, Zhao Yu found it difficult to consult with Yan Qing and the others.

Feigning weakness from the wine, Zhao Yu lay down early, but with a mind full of worries, how could he sleep?

The situation among the Jurchen elite was just as he had suspected: far from united. Though the seeds of discord had been sown, when they would sprout was uncertain.

Moreover, the Jurchens were not fools. They tolerated his ramblings only because each harbored their own schemes. After all this, Zhao Yu might well become the scapegoat. He had to plan his escape carefully.

But how to flee? When? From which direction?

These questions required careful consideration and planning; otherwise, capture meant a dead end.

Time passed slowly. He lost track of the hour until a faint sound at the windowpane startled him. A shadow leapt inside.

Though the room was dark, Zhao Yu recognized the figure.

“Brother Shi Qian, it’s so good of you to come!”

Zhao Yu had only brought two others into the Jurchen lands. Lin Chong and Wu Song were worried, and Shi Qian, originally sent to escort Han Shizhong’s family, could not have slowed his pace. After arranging for their carriage, he had set out alone and, upon meeting Lin Chong and the others, pursued them without prompting.

“Little Yi is standing guard outside. Your Highness, do you have any instructions?”

Though Shi Qian’s skills were excellent, he could not fool Yan Qing, so he had notified him before entering Zhao Yu’s room.

Shi Qian’s arrival was like adding wings to Zhao Yu’s strength. His greatest problem now was the shortage of manpower.

“I want you to get a few Thunderclap Bombs and plant them outside the mansion gates. Make the fuses long. Also, hide a few similar ones at Wanyan Zonggan’s residence…”

Without Gongsun Sheng, making explosives now was impossible, but Thunderclap Bombs shared similarities with mines.

Zhao Yu did not intend to kill Wanyan Xieye with them; his goal was merely to create chaos.

“Your Highness, rest assured. I’ll get them right away. Have you decided when to leave?”

“Finish this first. Also, check the north gate and prepare several fast horses for immediate use.”

Shi Qian was momentarily surprised, then understood Zhao Yu’s plan to create a diversion. The southwest was the way to Liao territory.

After saluting Zhao Yu again, Shi Qian quietly pushed open the window and slipped out like a wildcat, vanishing into the vast darkness.

Shi Qian thought Zhao Yu intended to escape by a ruse, but Zhao Yu had no plan to return to Liao at all...

At dawn, Wanyan Ang sneaked over to Wanyan Xiyin’s mansion. He had drunk a bit too much at Wanyan Xieye’s the night before and left late, so he had not disturbed Wanyan Xiyin earlier.

Wanyan Xiyin had not eaten breakfast yet but ordered extra food upon hearing of Wanyan Ang’s arrival.

Wanyan Ang had no appetite. After sitting down and drinking some tea, he recounted everything Zhao Yu had said last night and Wanyan Xieye’s reactions to Wanyan Xiyin in detail.

Wanyan Xiyin frowned deeply upon hearing this. His instincts warned him that Wanyan Xieye might be planning a rebellion and that Zhao Yu was truly a despicable man.

After a moment’s thought, he said, “Return to Xieye’s side immediately and watch his movements closely. If anything seems wrong, report to me at once. Also, find a way to get Zhao Yu out.”

Seeing a murderous gleam flash in Wanyan Xiyin’s eyes, Wanyan Ang could not help but say, “This man is not entirely useless. It would be a pity to kill him.”

“Hmph! We have been too merciful, giving him opportunities to sow discord. If we let him live, who knows what chaos he might cause…”

Before Wanyan Xiyin’s words ended, a tremendous explosion echoed from afar…