Chapter Ninety-Seven: Ultimately, an Outsider After All

"Fengxian, what is Wanyan Xiyin’s intention here?"

After reading the letter presented by Xiao Fengxian, Emperor Tianzuo asked with a puzzled expression.

Xiao Fengxian thought to himself, “You ask me, but who else can I ask?” Yet he said aloud, “Putting aside the purpose of this letter, I must speak frankly—our war with the Jurchens truly cannot continue any longer.”

“Oh? Shouldn’t we take advantage of the old lord’s recent death and crush the Jurchen tribes once and for all?”

Emperor Tianzuo was dissatisfied with Xiao Fengxian’s response. For years, all he had heard was news of defeat. Now that Aguda had suddenly died and the Jurchens were weakened, how could they not press the advantage?

Seeing his lord’s displeasure, Xiao Fengxian inwardly regretted having boasted too boldly before. Though Aguda was dead, the Jurchens were still a potent force, while the Liao army had long been demoralized, lacking capable generals. What was the point of continuing this war? Could they rely on empty talk alone?

Moreover, the current commander of the vanguard was his brother, Xiao Sixian. With his limited skills, attacking the Jurchens would be tantamount to suicide.

After gathering his thoughts, he spoke sincerely, “Your Majesty, with your wisdom, you surely understand that war is not won by soldiers’ bravery alone, but by countless logistical supplies. Years of warfare have left our Liao state battered and exhausted. What we must do now is to recuperate, preserve our strength, and observe the changes among the Jurchens. When the time is ripe, we shall strike decisively.”

Though Emperor Tianzuo enjoyed pleasure, he was not without sense. Hearing Xiao Fengxian’s words, he fell silent immediately. He knew he was right. With Aguda’s death, the Jurchens would inevitably choose a new leader, and given their belligerent nature, internal conflicts might arise. To hastily send troops now could even unify the scattered Jurchen tribes anew.

After pondering for some time, he reluctantly asked, “But Wanyan Xiyin wants Zhao Yu to go to the Jurchens to mourn the funeral. How can this be arranged?”

After all this talk, this was the real issue. If it were known that Zhao Yu was sent to the Jurchens, then the fiery Yi Yi would never agree, and by extension, the Empress Dowager likely wouldn’t approve either.

Xiao Fengxian sighed, “I can be certain that someone is secretly sabotaging this matter. But the problem is that this is a cunning scheme, and we truly have no way to counter it. However, I believe His Highness the Prince of Song will understand the gravity.”

Emperor Tianzuo understood Xiao Fengxian’s meaning: no one would be told, and the order would be given directly to Zhao Yu.

This would indeed avoid much trouble. The problem was that it would be best if Zhao Yu returned safely. But what if he did not?

Waving his hand, he said, “Let me think this over.”

Xiao Fengxian knew his lord intended to consult the Empress Dowager, so he dared not say more. After bowing, he withdrew.

---

No sooner had Xiao Fengxian left than an attendant came to summon Emperor Tianzuo: the Empress Dowager requested his presence.

As Xiao Fengxian had expected, Emperor Tianzuo already harbored the idea of sending Zhao Yu to mourn the Jurchens, but wished to hear his mother’s opinion first.

Following the attendant to the rear palace, he saw from afar his younger sister and Xiao Xian emerging from the chambers.

Upon seeing Xiao Xian, Emperor Tianzuo frowned slightly. He had long known Xiao Xian harbored hostility towards Zhao Yu, and now appearing in the rear palace at this moment—perhaps he had overheard something?

Sometimes, one’s intuition was uncannily accurate. Emperor Tianzuo ignored the couple and entered his mother’s chamber. After paying respects, before he could speak, the Empress Dowager spoke first.

“I have heard rumors outside that the Jurchens have specifically demanded Zhao Yu to go mourn the funeral, or else they will attack us. Is this true?”

“Mother, did you hear this from Xiao Xian?”

“Do not ask who said it. I want to know how you intend to handle this matter.”

Emperor Tianzuo took a deep breath, “Though Zhao Yu is a man from Song, our dynasty has treated him well. He ought to serve Liao faithfully. However...”

“Well said! No matter who Zhao Yu was before, he is now effectively a part of our Liao through marriage. The safety, honor, and disgrace of Liao are equally his concerns. As for Yi Yi, leave her to me. Do as you see fit!”

Upon hearing his mother’s words, Emperor Tianzuo’s heart finally settled. He nodded, “I understand, and I shall issue the decree at once. But I feel there is something strange about this matter, and I hope Mother will see clearly.”

“Are you speaking of Xiao Xian?”

The Empress Dowager, seated deep within the palace, was far from confused and knew much more than Emperor Tianzuo imagined.

The day after the decree to summon Zhao Yu back to the capital was issued, a dispatch from Yelü Min arrived, rushed over eight hundred miles.

Reading Yelü Min’s report, Emperor Tianzuo suddenly had a feeling: sending Zhao Yu to the Jurchens might indeed be the right decision, for this fellow was simply too restless.

Despite his concerns, Emperor Tianzuo was increasingly reassured by Zhao Yu. Zhao Yu’s initiative in raiding Song grain supplies clearly showed he would not betray Liao.

---

What pleased Emperor Tianzuo even more was that, throughout this time, Zhao Yu had not formed a personal guard directly under his command. This move only confirmed that Zhao Yu was an unambitious man, albeit somewhat mischievous.

Since Zhao Yu had ventured into Song territory to seize supplies, he would not return anytime soon. Therefore, Emperor Tianzuo ordered Xiao Fengxian to send a letter to Wanyan Xiyin, explaining that Zhao Yu would personally attend the mourning, but due to other matters, he might be delayed by a few days.

In truth, everyone knew that Aguda had been so thoroughly destroyed that not a single bone remained intact. The so-called mourning was merely a symbolic burial, which explained the delay until now.

It was now just past the first month of the lunar year; according to Wanyan Xiyin’s timeline, the mourning would last more than another month, so Zhao Yu should be back soon.

Emperor Tianzuo’s plan was sound, but he forgot a common saying among the Han: plans never keep up with change.

“The former Prince Yi led 100,000 Liao troops in a great assault on the Central Plains, nearly reaching Hebei now...”

No one knew who had spread this rumor, but it grew wider and wilder throughout the Central Plains.

For a time, Hebei and Shanxi were on edge, and Bianliang was shaken thrice in one night. Originally, it was said that Prince Yi would lead the Yan and Yun regions back to the Central Plains, but now the story had changed drastically.

Before the army’s arrival, Zhao Yu’s reputation had already plummeted. Insults and curses followed him on every street and alley. Of course, since Zhao Yu’s father was the reigning emperor, no one dared to curse his ancestors outright. The richness of the Chinese language allowed literati to insult without uttering a single dirty word.

It was certain that if Zhao Yu appeared in Bianliang’s streets at this moment, he would be hunted like a rat crossing the road.

When the news first broke, Emperor Huizong nearly fainted with rage. How dare this unfilial son act so? Does he not fear divine retribution for striking his own father?

Anger aside, Emperor Huizong was not entirely afraid. After all, the court’s confirmed intelligence was not as exaggerated as the rumors.

While ordering all border cities to maintain strict defenses, Emperor Huizong made up his mind to eliminate this rebellious son.

After issuing the mobilization edict to the border, the court continuously convened ministers to strategize, with a single aim: to ensure Zhao Yu’s Liao army would return no more...