Chapter 119: The Fight Breaks Out

Sometimes, being too clever is not a virtue; excessive cunning can easily become a liability.

Wanyan Xiyin and Wanyan Zonghan were well aware that regardless of whom they chose to support for the throne, the greatest resistance would inevitably come from Wanyan Xieye and Wanyan Zonggan. Consequently, while they dispatched Wanyan Ang to assassinate Wanyan Xieye, they also sent men to eliminate Wanyan Zonggan.

Unfortunately, Wanyan Zonggan’s fate mirrored that of Wanyan Xieye; both narrowly escaped death at the critical moment. The assassin sent after Wanyan Zonggan was cut down on the spot, leading the paranoid Wanyan Zonggan to conclude that Wanyan Xieye was the one behind the attempt. In a fit of rage, he immediately led his troops to strike back.

"My Lord, you must let Wanyan Zonggan know the truth. It is now clear that all of this was orchestrated by Wanyan Xiyin and his faction. If we allow an uninformed Wanyan Zonggan to unite with them, we shall surely face a catastrophe," Zhao Yu said, his face etched with anxiety. From start to finish, his performance was impeccable, always maintaining the air of someone deeply concerned for Wanyan Xieye’s well-being.

To be honest, while Wanyan Xieye was furious, he was also worried that events might unfold exactly as Zhao Yu predicted. He nodded and said, "Send men to contact Wanyan Zonggan and tell him that this is all the work of Wanyan Xiyin’s clique."

Before the words had even faded, several muffled explosions echoed in the distance. Moments later, guards rushed in to report that someone had hurled "Heaven-Shattering Thunder" (bombs) at Wanyan Zonggan’s men, causing heavy casualties. The vanguards of both armies were now locked in a chaotic melee, and the situation was spiraling out of control.

Hearing the report, Wanyan Xieye was incensed. He had given no such order—who had authorized the use of the explosives?

"My Lord, this must be Wanyan Xiyin’s doing. His goal is to make us slaughter one another so that he may reap the rewards of our destruction," Zhao Yu suggested, feigning shock, though he could not imagine anyone else so perfectly facilitating this conflict.

Wanyan Xieye nodded. "Bring Wanyan Ang to the front lines, and order Wanyan Zonggan to come out and speak."

Wanyan Xieye’s plan was sound, but once two armies are locked in mortal combat, it is rarely easy to bring them to a halt. He realized he would have to intervene personally, yet at this crucial moment, Zhao Yu faltered.

With a pained expression, Zhao Yu said, "My Lord, I cannot bear to witness such carnage. I shall wait for your return at the residence."

Wanyan Xieye, feeling genuinely grateful toward Zhao Yu, nodded. "Your kindness is beyond words. Stay safe in the manor; I shall go and settle this."

Though Wanyan Xieye had grown accustomed to a life of ease, he was, after all, a veteran who had built this empire alongside Aguda. Though he had been away from the battlefield for some time, the sight of enemies at his doorstep reignited his warrior spirit. After ordering his men to protect Zhao Yu, he marched out, dragging Wanyan Ang along. The poisoned dagger Wanyan Ang had brought was now pressed firmly against his own spine; should he dare to speak out of turn, his fate was sealed.

Once Zhao Yu, Yan Qing, and Han Shizhong returned to their courtyard and bolted the gate, they began their preparations. The chaos in Huining was absolute. Given the hatred Wanyan Xiyin and his followers held for Zhao Yu, they knew that if they did not flee now, it would be too late.

The three quickly changed into Jurchen attire and packed their belongings, waiting in silence. The chaos outside had not yet reached its peak; it was not yet time to emerge.

The brutality outside far exceeded Zhao Yu’s expectations. The lethality of the Jurchen warriors was no mere boast; they were as ruthless to their own kin as they were to their enemies. The battle turned white-hot from the onset. Because the streets were narrow and the armies could not fully deploy, they were forced into savage close-quarters street fighting, while soldiers scrambled onto the roofs of civilian homes to trade volleys of arrows.

On the streets, illuminated by the fires, the night air was filled with war cries and screams. Bringing such a battle to a halt under these conditions was nearly impossible.

From a high vantage point, Wanyan Xieye analyzed the battlefield and ordered a signal arrow fired, summoning other tribal armies to his aid. He realized that the only way to reason with Wanyan Zonggan was to force him to retreat.

There is no shortage of ruffians in any city. With the main streets guarded by the armies, they turned their attention to the homes of wealthy citizens. Soon, gangs began storming into civilian houses to loot, rape, and pillage, before setting the buildings ablaze. Cries of agony and the roar of flames erupted across the city, plunging Huining into total bedlam.

This was not the outcome Wanyan Xiyin and Wanyan Zonghan had intended. Without time to deliberate, they led their own forces to surround the area, attempting to use their influence to quell the fighting. But their arrival only made matters worse; hearing that their tribal forces had arrived, Wanyan Xieye assumed they were there to reinforce Wanyan Zonggan. Without a second thought, he ordered his men to attack them as well.

This was only the first theater of war. When the tribal armies outside the city heard that their leaders were fighting within the walls, they surged through the gates, plunging into the fray. Eventually, the reason for the fighting and the identity of the enemies became irrelevant. It was a scene of utter madness that even the resurrection of Aguda could not have calmed in such a short time.

Sensing the time was right, Zhao Yu and his two companions climbed over the back wall and carefully navigated the outskirts of the chaos, making their way toward the North Gate. Zhao Yu knew that while the Jurchens were currently lost in their bloodlust, they would regain their senses by daybreak. He had to leave.

The situation was so chaotic that no one paid any heed to a few Jurchen-clad figures slipping away. After rendezvousing with Shi Qian, the four men exited the North Gate, circled around, and headed south.

Shi Qian and Han Shizhong assumed Zhao Yu was employing a feint, as returning to the Liao state or heading to Youzhou would typically require traveling west. Zhao Yu offered no explanation. It was already the third month, and the nights remained bitter, though they had grown accustomed to the cold.

After pushing forward for several dozen miles, they finally slowed their pace. Zhao Yu glanced back at the distant, flickering glow of Huining. "Once the Jurchens come to their senses, they will certainly demand our heads from the Liao state. Returning there now would be a death sentence."

"Why not head directly to Youzhou, Your Highness?"

"The path is fraught with checkpoints and mountain passes; I fear we would never reach Youzhou. I intend to pass through Goryeo."

His companions were stunned. Zhao Yu turned to Shi Qian. "Brother, I must trouble you to return to Youzhou first and find a way to contact Brother Lu. Tell him to meet us at Dengzhou."

Han Shizhong caught on and nodded. "The journey is long, but it is certainly not a route the Jurchens would expect. However, to my knowledge, the people of Goryeo are fickle, currying favor with both the Jurchens and the Song. If they learn our true identities, I fear they will not let us leave."

"Heh! If the Jurchens cannot guess that we would use Goryeo as a transit point, how would the people of Goryeo know who I am? From this moment on, we are merely ginseng gatherers from Liaodong."

Watching the glint in Zhao Yu’s eyes, Han Shizhong suddenly had a feeling that their Highness had more than one agenda for choosing to pass through Goryeo.