Chapter 122: Diverting the Disaster

It is often said that those of high status encounter many storms when they travel, and this adage applied perfectly to Zhao Yu. Whether he would truly face many storms was uncertain, but he was certainly never short on trouble.

The camp, housing over five hundred people along with wagons and various supplies, was of a significant scale. For the sake of safety, Wu Qian ordered them to set up camp in a sheltered mountain hollow before nightfall. Having crossed the Yalu River, they were not far from Baozhou, and there was no need to rush to reach it in one breath.

The caravan consisted of Han, Mongols, Khitan, and even Koreans and Xi people. While their cargo was primarily furs, it was not without other goods. Zhao Yu knew that, except for the capital, other parts of Korea were barely better off than beggars in the Central Plains. In Zhao Yu’s words, a nation without shame would eventually be punished by the heavens.

The trio set up their tent at the edge of the camp. Naturally, Zhao Yu did not need to involve himself in such chores. While Yan Qing and Han Shizhong busied themselves, Zhao Yu strolled around, carefully observing the situation within the caravan. The people of the northern regions were fierce and tough, and these merchants, in particular—calling them merchants was perhaps too generous, as many were likely highwaymen.

Zhao Yu wanted to have a good talk with Wu Qian, but the old man gave him no opportunity. Once the camp was established, cooking smoke soon began to rise. Just then, the sound of rapid hoofbeats echoed from afar. As the three were still in the midst of fleeing for their lives, they grew alert immediately.

Han Shizhong lay on the ground, listening for a moment before rising. "No more than twenty riders. They likely aren't coming for us."

"Brother Han, protect His Highness. I will go and take a look," Yan Qing said, slipping out of the tent.

"Brother Han, how can we leave some clues for the Jurchens?"

Han Shizhong was startled and hurriedly whispered, "Your Highness, you must not! We are strangers in Korea. If the Jurchens find clues and pursue us, we truly will have nowhere left to run."

This idea had only just occurred to Zhao Yu. The Jurchens were not fools; they would eventually think of this route. As far as Zhao Yu knew, the Jurchens and Koreans had never lived in peace. If managed correctly, he might be able to incite conflict between the Jurchens and Koreans once more. If the Jurchens became bogged down in a Korean theater of war, it would inevitably relieve the pressure on the Shangjing region. Of course, Zhao Yu was not trying to help the Liao Dynasty; he was merely buying himself time. Another benefit of this move was that it could weaken Korea’s strength, though he could not tell Han Shizhong too much, lest he seem like a villain.

Zhao Yu smiled faintly. "Life is always full of challenges; that is what makes it exciting."

Han Shizhong curled his lip, thinking to himself: *Exciting my foot. You’re just a bit reckless...*

***

After a long while, the tent flap lifted, and Yan Qing slipped in, bringing a chill with him. "Your Highness, the situation is not good. I heard them say that the King of Korea is critically ill and in urgent need of a thousand-year-old ginseng to sustain his life. It seems someone does not want the King to survive, so they plan to intercept this caravan."

"There is such a thing?" Zhao Yu remembered that Korean ginseng was quite famous, though clearly not as potent as the thousand-year-old wild ginseng from Liaodong. In that case, this caravan likely originated from Changbai Mountain, as that was the only place where such ginseng grew. No wonder the old man Wu Qian had been keeping everyone at arm's length.

Zhao Yu had no interest in wealth or treasures. A person's life was fated; it could not be extended by mere tonics. Whether the King of Korea lived or died had nothing to do with him; what mattered was what he could gain from this situation. He cursed his poor grasp of history, as he knew almost nothing about the history of Korea during this period.

"Someone is coming!"

As soon as Yan Qing spoke, he darted behind the tent flap, and Han Shizhong quietly drew his blade. Shortly after, a gruff voice came from outside: "Young master, have you turned in yet? Our head merchant requests your presence."

It was a guard leader, someone called Wang Dahu. Zhao Yu signaled to Yan Qing and Han Shizhong, then pulled back the flap and stepped out, followed closely by the two.

"It is so late. I wonder what Head Merchant Wu wants with me?"

"How would I know the master's business? Please, young master, follow me!"

Zhao Yu knew that Wu Qian’s invitation was likely a spur-of-the-moment decision and not necessarily malicious. With that thought, he stopped asking questions and followed Wang Dahu toward the center of the camp, where Wu Qian’s tent stood.

Over a dozen horses were tethered outside Wu Qian's tent, and several sturdy men were tending to them, looking as if they were ready to depart at any moment. Before Zhao Yu even reached the entrance, Wu Qian pushed aside the flap and emerged, bowing with a smile. "I apologize for any offense given along the way. I hope you can forgive me. I have prepared some wine and food; I hope you will not find it lacking."

*Arrogant at first, then humble,* Zhao Yu thought. *When someone bows low, they always want something.* He had seen plenty of such men.

Zhao Yu returned the bow with a smile. "If Head Merchant Wu has any instructions, feel free to speak. No need for such formalities."

"Please!"

The two exchanged hollow pleasantries as they entered the tent. Wu Qian acted as if Yan Qing and Han Shizhong, who followed behind Zhao Yu, did not exist. Two young women in Mongolian attire were kneeling by two small tables inside, and as the group entered, they bowed low.

*Trying to use a honey trap on me?* Zhao Yu thought. *Too bad I don't fall for that.*

After inviting Zhao Yu to sit, Wu Qian gestured for the women to pour the wine, then raised his own cup first. "The world is full of perils. I hope you can forgive my earlier rudeness. Cheers!"

Zhao Yu suddenly felt that Wu Qian might have mistaken him for someone else; otherwise, why would he be so apologetic? He smiled calmly. "Let us speak plainly. If there is anything you need me to do, Head Merchant Wu, just say it. If I can help, I won't hesitate."

Seeing that Zhao Yu had no intention of drinking, Wu Qian set his cup down and sighed slightly. "To be honest, I fear this business venture of mine is going to fail here. Could you help me, little brother? Of course, I will not let you work for nothing."

"You must have mistaken me for someone else, Head Merchant Wu. Since you are being sincere, I will be direct: I am from Bianliang. Because the war between the Jurchens and the Khitan cut off the road to the Central Plains, I decided to pass through Korea."

This was the clue Zhao Yu wanted to leave for the Jurchens. Sure enough, upon hearing this, Wu Qian was stunned for a moment, then subconsciously asked, "You are not the young master of the Li family?"

He then patted his own head in regret. "Look at me—why didn't I realize there couldn't be such a refined youth in Korea?"

Zhao Yu felt a bit embarrassed by the praise. He smiled and said, "My surname is Zhao. It appears a few places ahead of Li in the 'Hundred Family Surnames.' May I ask who this Li young master is?"

"The Gyeongwon Li family. Since you are from Bianliang, surely you know the most powerful in-law family in Korea?"

As he spoke, Wu Qian stared intently at Zhao Yu, clearly trying to see if he was lying. Unfortunately, Zhao Yu truly had no idea about this Gyeongwon Li family.

He smiled. "Although I am not this Li young master, if you are truly in trouble, Head Merchant Wu, why not tell me? Perhaps I might have a way to help you resolve it."