Chapter 101: Nothing in the World Is Difficult

Han Shizhong, one of the four great generals who revived the Southern Song Dynasty, had actually shown his prowess as early as the Northern Song period. During battles against the Western Xia, he once personally beheaded the Western Xia’s supervising prince consort on the battlefield. However, his achievements were consistently overshadowed by Tong Guan, which prevented him from being fully utilized.

Nonetheless, Tong Guan had not forgotten him. This time, during the northern expedition to reclaim Yan and Yun, Tong Guan deliberately transferred Han Shizhong from the northwest and appointed him as the Commander of the Taiyuan militia.

His rank had risen, but the Song bureaucracy was still intact. Whatever he wanted to do required prior approval from a civil official—namely, the incompetent Liu Wenguang.

The Liao army had yet to appear. Although Han Shizhong was suspicious, he didn’t dwell on it much. In fact, he never imagined Zhao Yu would dare infiltrate Taiyuan city.

Upon learning that Liu Wenguang wanted to see him, Han Shizhong hurriedly handed his horse over to a guard and entered Liu’s residence alone.

The servant led Han Shizhong to the entrance of the main hall and then left. Instinctively alert as a warrior, Han Shizhong glanced at the two guards stationed outside the hall. Something felt off, but he couldn’t quite pinpoint what.

“General Han, please come inside. Lord Liu has been waiting for some time,” a voice called.

Han Shizhong nodded, removed the sword at his waist and handed it to a nearby guard before striding forward.

Inside the great hall, Zhao Yu and Liu Wenguang sat on opposite sides, while Yan Qing stood silently behind Liu. No one else was present. The atmosphere was eerily silent, with all eyes fixed on Han Shizhong.

Frowning slightly, Han Shizhong clasped his hands and bowed respectfully. “Greetings, my lord.”

Liu Wenguang instinctively glanced at Zhao Yu, clearly seeking guidance on what to do next.

Having no moral bottom line, once that mental barrier was broken, one became a complete traitor.

“General Han, do you know your crime?”

Han Shizhong was momentarily stunned by Zhao Yu’s question and turned to him. “May I ask who you are, my lord?”

“Guards, seize this traitorous subject who disrespects the prince!”

Zhao Yu gave Han Shizhong no chance to react, immediately ordering Wu Song to act.

Han Shizhong was an excellent cavalry commander. Though competent on foot, he could not match Wu Song. Moreover, he still hadn’t grasped the situation. Momentarily distracted, he was quickly overpowered by Wu Song and pinned to the ground. Then, someone came forward to tie him up.

“I am innocent! Why am I being arrested without cause? May I ask which prince Your Highness is?” Han Shizhong demanded.

“General Han, please remain calm. Soon you will understand,” Zhao Yu said, turning to Liu Wenguang with a gentle expression. “Lord Liu, the next step is up to you. My brother here will accompany you. Remember, the grain belongs to the court, but your life is your own. I hear your youngest son is quite beloved. Surely you don’t want anything to happen to him?”

“Your Highness, rest assured. I shall handle it immediately,” Liu Wenguang replied, casting a glance at the bound Han Shizhong. To him, Han had become a massive scapegoat, capable of absorbing all blame.

Having sent Liu Wenguang away, Zhao Yu rose and approached Han Shizhong, bowing deeply. “I apologize for any offense, General Han. I am Zhao Yu. This is all out of necessity; I do not dare hope for your forgiveness. But I can promise you, no common people of the Great Song will be harmed.”

Hearing Zhao Yu’s name, Han Shizhong’s eyes nearly popped out in disbelief. “You—you are the traitor Zhao Yu?”

“Heh! Since I’m already a traitor, I’m honored. Say whatever you like! I only seek peace of conscience,” Zhao Yu replied.

“The situation is this: Taiyuan’s commander Han Shizhong willingly delivered grain to the traitor Zhao Yu and defected with him to Liao. General Han, how do you find Liu Wenguang’s report?”

Only then did Han Shizhong realize Zhao Yu’s intention and inwardly cursed his own carelessness. Coldly, he said, “His Majesty is wise and will not believe Liu Wenguang’s lies. Besides, I am not the only one guarding Taiyuan. You won’t succeed in transporting the grain.”

Zhao Yu shrugged. “Whether His Majesty sees clearly or not, you’ll soon find out. Moreover, the entire city will witness you personally escorting us out. I have brought ten thousand of the elite Youzhou Iron Cavalry. Tell me, General Han, who do you think has a better chance in open battle—the Taiyuan troops or my Youzhou cavalry?”

“General Han, you are a sensible man. Grain can be replanted, but if the soldiers and citizens of Taiyuan suffer, you will be condemned for eternity.”

“You... you are shameless!” Han Shizhong trembled with anger. He knew well that although Taiyuan had many troops, fewer than two thousand cavalry were battle-ready. They could never defeat the Liao cavalry in open combat.

That was one matter. If the ruthless Liao soldiers went berserk and stormed the city, then, as Zhao Yu said, Han Shizhong would indeed become a villain remembered forever.

“Calm yourself. Let me share another piece of news. I have sent Brother Shi Qian to the northwest to fetch your family. So you needn’t worry about them being implicated. You don’t know Brother Shi Qian—he’s a master thief who stole your seal and forged your letters. Otherwise, how could your family believe him?”

At this, Han Shizhong felt his vision darken and nearly collapsed backward. If not for Wu Song’s support, he would have fallen.

“Arrest his men, then let’s head to the city gate. Signal Yelü Huan.”

Nothing is truly difficult if one is determined. Many seemingly impossible tasks become simple once the right approach is found.

But is it really that easy? Courage, intelligence, adaptability—could one afford to lack any of these?

Liu Wenguang was undoubtedly capable, especially when his life was at stake. Upon arriving at the government office, he immediately dispatched all clerks, mobilized the city’s laborers and carriages, and personally oversaw the loading of grain at the granary.

The officials of Taiyuan were bewildered, wondering if their prefect had lost his mind.

Liu Wenguang, well-prepared, produced a so-called imperial edict, claiming that the Liao were launching a major assault on Yanmen Pass and Taiyuan had to fully support the defense.

Though suspicious, the officials obeyed the higher authority; following orders was never wrong.

Zhao Yu brought Han Shizhong to the city gate, ordered the signal to Yelü Huan, and waited there together.

“Your Highness, it is not too late to turn back. With your talent and time, you could accomplish great things. Why serve the Liao and bear eternal infamy?”

Han Shizhong’s feet were tied to the stirrups, his arms disarmed by Wu Song, hanging limply by his sides. Only his mouth remained free.

He wasn’t inflexible. Understanding the stakes, he gave up resistance but still tried to reason.

Zhao Yu didn’t answer directly. Instead, pointing to the passing citizens near the gate, he said, “General Han, learned and talented as you are, have you heard of the saying from the Han dynasty about the ‘Five Planets Aligning, Heaven Blesses China’? Do you know what ‘China’ referred to then?”

Surprisingly, Han Shizhong had heard the rumor, but what did this have to do with Zhao Yu’s betrayal?

Looking Han Shizhong in the eye, Zhao Yu said solemnly, “General Han, remember: wherever rivers flow and the sun and moon shine, that is all our China’s land.”

Hearing this, Han Shizhong was stunned...