Chapter Ninety-Two: Return to Youzhou

Before the first month had even ended, Zhao Yu was summoned back to Youzhou by an imperial decree from Emperor Tianzuo. Before he departed, Empress Dowager Xiao personally presided over a grand betrothal ceremony for Zhao Yu and Xiao Yiyi.

From that day on, Xiao Yiyi was Zhao Yu’s nominal wife. For that very reason, Zhao Yu returned to Youzhou alone this time.

In ancient times, officials sent away from the capital often left their families behind in the court. In the past, when she had no formal standing, Xiao Yiyi could ignore such matters. But now she could no longer treat them lightly. Once she became a princess consort, she could no longer act as she pleased.

Zhao Yu was reluctant, of course, but there was nothing to be done. He might laugh and joke all day long, but only the one who suffered knew how bitter it was to live under another’s roof and depend on another’s favor.

In a sense, Bianliang was oppressive, but it was still not as perilous as Shangjing, so it was better to leave sooner rather than later.

Just as Zhao Yu arrived in Youzhou, Wanyan Xiyin in Haining also received a secret report. It contained the results of the investigation into Zhao Yu.

As a prince, he had cultivated ties with the underworld, stirred up both the righteous and the criminal in Jiangnan, seized the Merkit tribe in a flash, recruited soldiers in Youzhou, freed slaves...

Looking at the thick stack of documents in his hand, Wanyan Xiyin increasingly felt that Aguda’s death must have had something to do with this boy. What prince was capable of causing such a commotion?

Before this, spies from Shangjing had already sent word that Zhao Yu had offended Xiao Xian, the Liao prince consort, and that Xiao Xian was now joining forces with a group of men to frame Zhao Yu. They had even sent false intelligence to Haining, portraying Zhao Yu as the murderer who had tried to assassinate Aguda.

After the Jurchen high officials studied the matter, none of them believed that a boy of fifteen or sixteen could have done something so extraordinary, and the matter was set aside until Wanyan Xiyin finished reading this secret report.

After pondering for a long while, Wanyan Xiyin ordered brush and ink to be brought, then wrote a letter to Emperor Tianzuo.

The gist of the letter was that the Jurchens were preparing a grand funeral for Aguda and respectfully invited the Prince of Song to attend on behalf of the Liao court.

The letter was written with great courtesy, yet every line carried a hidden threat. Between the words, Wanyan Xiyin subtly informed Emperor Tianzuo that now was the best time for our two countries to restore friendly relations, so it would be wise for you to obediently send Zhao Yu over. Otherwise, you would not be able to blame us if we had to meet again on the battlefield.

Once the letter was finished, he immediately ordered it sent to Shangjing by the fastest relay riders.

Haining was no short distance from Shangjing. A courier riding hard could arrive in two or three days, but getting Zhao Yu there would not be so easy. Moreover, the Liao side would likely need to deliberate as well. After all, Zhao Yu was not some ordinary official or commoner in the Liao realm; he could not simply depart at will.

Aguda and the others had been blown to death for nearly a month. Though the weather was bitterly cold, the funeral still had to be held, and Zhao Yu had to arrive before then.

Meanwhile, Zhao Yu had no idea that the Jurchens had already set their sights on him. He happily returned to the Governor-General’s Residence amid the welcome of Yelv Min, Lin Chong, and the others. Before he had even gone inside, he spotted an old acquaintance waiting at the gate.

The moment that man saw Zhao Yu, he dropped to his knees in the freezing snow and choked out, “This old servant pays respects to Your Highness...”

“Old Feng, what are you doing here?”

Overjoyed, Zhao Yu sprang down from his horse and pulled the tearful Feng Quan to his feet.

“Your Highness looks ever more robust. If Her Majesty knew, she would surely be delighted.”

As he spoke, tears streamed down Feng Quan’s face once more.

“This is no place to talk. Come inside.”

With that, Zhao Yu turned and told Yelv Min and the others to stay for drinks a little later, then led Feng Quan toward the rear courtyard.

When they reached the study, Zhao Yu asked at once, “How is Mother?”

All else was false; only his mother was what Zhao Yu truly cared about.

Feng Quan sighed softly, then recounted to Zhao Yu the Empress Zheng’s present situation. Only after that did he take the imperial edict from his sleeve.

Zhao Yu did not even look at it and tossed it aside. He already knew what it said.

Helping Feng Quan sit down, he said, “I want to bring Mother out of there. Do you have any way?”

Feng Quan froze, then gave a bitter smile and shook his head. “Your Highness, this place is thousands of miles from Bianliang. Setting aside whether the Empress can even be brought out, I fear she would not be able to endure the bitter cold here.”

Then, after a pause, he added cautiously, “Your Highness, would you not at least look at the imperial edict His Majesty sent you?”

It was clear that Feng Quan still hoped Zhao Yu would return to Bianliang.

His words reminded Zhao Yu of something. It was not the cold that concerned him, but the fact that, in history, Empress Zheng had been the one who stayed with Huizong until the very end. That meant she had deeply loved Huizong.

Now Zhao Yu wished, in his own way, to bring his mother out, yet he did not even know whether she herself would be willing.

After a moment of thought, he said, “Stay with me for a few days before going back. When you return, tell Father Emperor this: treat Mother well, or I will be the first one not to forgive him. As for anything else, he can forget it.”

Seeing how resolute Zhao Yu was, Feng Quan had no choice but to abandon any further attempt at persuasion. He had watched this young prince grow up; he knew all too well what kind of temperament he had.

After arranging for Feng Quan to be settled, Zhao Yu returned to the front courtyard. The wine and dishes were already laid out, and Lin Chong, Wu Song, Yelv Min, Yelv Huan, and the others were all waiting for him to begin.

After apologizing for his absence, Zhao Yu first turned to Yelv Min and said, “My old man, the one who kicked me out of the house, heard that I became the Grand Governor of Youzhou and then had the absurd idea that I should hand Youzhou over to him. Heh. Still, I can’t really blame him for treating me badly. With more than thirty sons, how could he possibly remember me?”

“Hahaha! Your Highness is straightforward to a most admirable degree. That old emperor of the Song court drove you out, and that was his loss. Fortunately, our great Liao Emperor is wise. Forget business today. Since Your Highness has returned and we are all happy, let us drink until we drop.”

Yelv Min had no scheming mind; whatever came to him, he said. After speaking, he lifted his cup at once.

“Brother Yelv is right. Today we drink only wine and speak no business. To this cup!”

Under Zhao Yu’s lead, the banquet quickly grew lively.

No one else knew that Zhao Yu could remain in Youzhou for only three months, but Yelv Min certainly did. Still, setting aside Wu Song and Lin Chong, both Yelv Min and Yelv Huan sincerely admired Zhao Yu from the depths of their hearts.

Although Zhao Yu had been away from Youzhou for no long time, ever since the decree freeing the slaves had been issued, Youzhou seemed to have been infused with new life. More men came forward to enlist, and the city itself became far more animated.

These two brothers were not men suited to government affairs. The former prefect of Youzhou had been dismissed because of the matter involving Yelv Dashi, so nearly all of Youzhou’s administration had fallen into Yelv Min’s hands. He had long since grown weary of it. Now that Zhao Yu had returned, it was as though they had been liberated. How could they not be pleased?

Yet beneath Yelv Min’s smile, Zhao Yu always sensed something he could not quite name.

As the commander of the imperial guard, Yelv Min did possess the authority to handle emergencies, but he simply did not believe Zhao Yu would betray Liao. That was trust, yes, but also instinct.

They had said they would not discuss official matters, but a roomful of men, all soldiers except for Zhao Yu, naturally drifted back to the subject of war and arms.

Yelv Huan said the Mongols were formidable. Yelv Min said the Jurchens were fierce. Wu Song and Lin Chong did not join the argument, for there was no way to; the Song army was simply too poor to bear comparison.

“Two generals, Aguda is dead. Do you think the Jurchens will still come? And if they do come, can our current army hold them back?”

At Zhao Yu’s question, both Yelv Min and Yelv Huan were stunned. Then they fell silent.