Chapter 104: Sacrificing the Pawn

The moment Zhao Yu laid eyes on Yelu Min, he suddenly felt a sense of resignation. An old saying came to mind: "Those who are not of our kin will surely have different intentions."

Yelu Min was a hero in his own right, but only from the perspective of the Khitan people. That he had not engaged in looting or slaughter along the way during his initial advance toward Zhending Prefecture was already a significant favor to Zhao Yu. One could not hold such high expectations for an alien race.

Yelu Min’s expression was peculiar, and he seemed not to notice that Zhao Yu had ordered his men to release the captives.

"On behalf of the soldiers and civilians of Youzhou, this subordinate thanks Your Highness for your immense grace!"

Had it not been for Zhao Yu’s meticulous planning, it would have been impossible for Youzhou to secure such a vast quantity of grain in such a short time.

"Youzhou is, after all, under my administration. This was merely my duty; there is no need for thanks."

Zhao Yu scanned the surroundings but did not see Lin Chong or Wu Song. He presumed they were kept away to avoid witnessing the bloodshed. Without waiting for Zhao Yu to ask, Yelu Min volunteered, "The two instructors are ahead, escorting the grain shipment." He paused, then added, "Your Highness, may we speak in private?"

Zhao Yu had felt something was amiss from the moment he first saw Yelu Min; the man’s expression was abnormal, as if he were harboring some unspeakable secret. Following Yelu Min to the side of the road, Zhao Yu signaled for the troops behind them to continue through the pass.

"Your Highness, please look at this." As he spoke, Yelu Min pulled an imperial edict from his robes. The Khitan’s reverence for the Liao Emperor’s edicts was clearly not on par with that of the Han people.

Zhao Yu did not hold the Liao imperial decree in high regard either. He took it and read it for only a few moments before his heart sank.

"Decree: Order Prince Song and Youzhou Circuit Supervisor Zhao Yu to serve as an envoy to the Jin Kingdom to offer condolences to the Emperor of Jin..."

The edict was brief, yet it felt piercingly cruel. It left Zhao Yu utterly cold. In the end, he was nothing more than a disposable pawn. He suddenly understood why Lin Chong and Wu Song were absent; Yelu Min had likely prepared for any potential reaction.

After a moment of silence, Zhao Yu laughed suddenly and said, "If it is the Emperor's will, how can a subject refuse? Let us be on our way!"

Yelu Min felt uneasy as well. He could not fathom what those in the capital were thinking. Among so many officials in the court, why choose to send Prince Song? And with the two nations still in a state of hostility, were they not worried that the Prince would never return?

"The honor guard has been prepared for Your Highness at the camp outside the pass. If you have any other needs, just give the word, and I will do my utmost to fulfill them."

Emperor Tianzuo had issued a secret decree to handle any potential defiance from Zhao Yu, but it appeared that the decree would not be needed after all.

Zhao Yu pondered for a moment and said, "I have no special requests. I do not need many guards, just bring Han Shizhong along."

Yelu Min was stunned by Zhao Yu’s request and instinctively replied, "The journey is fraught with danger, Your Highness! You should take more guards. Why not bring Instructor Lin and Instructor Wu?"

"Haha! No need. Let them help you train the troops. Besides, I am not going to war; taking too many people is useless. Please tell Yiyi for me to take care of herself and not to fret over me. We shall marry upon my return."

Lin Chong and Wu Song had only just established themselves among the Youzhou troops; they could not be spared at this time.

Yelu Min, however, was secretly overjoyed. News from the capital suggested that Zhao Yu’s mission to the Jin Kingdom was a calculated trap, and he would likely never return. Yelu Min dared not harbor any hopes for Xiao Yiyi, but he had always admired the talents of Lin Chong and Wu Song. With Zhao Yu gone, given time, he might eventually recruit them to serve him.

As they spoke, a scout arrived on horseback, dismounted, and clasped his hands toward Yelu Min. "Report, General. Zhang Jue, the Garrison Commander of Nanjing, requests an audience at the camp outside the pass."

Yelu Min snorted coldly. "Another one looking to profit. Tell him this General has no time to see him."

Zhao Yu realized that Zhang Jue must have heard about the grain and wanted a share of the spoils. After all, life in the cities outside the pass was difficult during these times.

Thinking of this, Zhao Yu stopped the scout and said to Yelu Min, "Brother Yelu, after I leave, the Yan-Yun region will be yours to command. Although Nanjing is not close to Youzhou, it is better for us to look out for one another. Perhaps you should see him and hear what he has to say before making a decision."

Yelu Min had great admiration for Zhao Yu’s strategic mind. Hearing this, he nodded. "Then I shall follow your advice, Your Highness. Since there is no rush, why don't you join me in meeting him?"

If Zhao Yu had not wanted to see him, he would not have spoken. There were many Han officials in the Liao Kingdom; it was not that they wanted to be traitors, but that the Song army was so incompetent that they could not reclaim the land that belonged to the Han people. Zhao Yu wanted to meet him not to win him over, but out of curiosity.

Zhang Jue, the Jiedushi of Pingzhou and Garrison Commander of Nanjing, was a classic double-dealer. Historically, he would surrender to the Jurchen when they invaded, then secretly pledge allegiance to the Song, only to eventually be executed by Wanyan Zonghan. When Zhao Yu and Xiao Yiyi had passed through Nanjing earlier, they had never caught a glimpse of him—whether he was truly absent or simply avoiding them, Zhao Yu did not know, which only fueled his curiosity.

At Yelu Min’s command, the army escorted the grain through Yanmen Pass. Had he not been concerned about Zhao Yu’s feelings, Yelu Min would surely have set fire to the pass.

Yelu Min’s hunch was correct; Zhang Jue had indeed come to seek a share of the grain. It was not a matter of whether Nanjing lacked food—seeking profit wherever it could be found was Zhang Jue’s consistent style. However, he never imagined that this time, he would kick a solid wall of steel.

Turning his gaze to Taiyuan, Liu Wenguang never dreamed that Yan Qing would return, having slipped silently into his inner chambers.

Upon hearing the orders relayed by Yan Qing on behalf of Zhao Yu, Liu Wenguang felt as bitter as gall. He had only just praised Yue Fei’s actions, yet now Zhao Yu was ordering him to arrest the man. What kind of madness was this?

He wanted to refuse, but one look at Yan Qing’s cold, piercing eyes caused him to crumble instantly.

Yan Qing, understanding Liu Wenguang’s predicament, smiled slightly. "His Highness said that Lord Liu, by leading the soldiers and civilians of Taiyuan to eliminate thousands of Liao troops and saving countless lives, has achieved a magnificent feat! Though the grain was not fully recovered, it was entirely destroyed. Lord Liu’s contribution is indeed unparalleled!"

"Ah! I... can it truly be put that way?"

Hearing this, Liu Wenguang’s jaw nearly dropped. But upon reflection, he realized: Yue Fei was merely a minor captain, what right did he have to claim such credit? Not only him, but all the men he brought with him had to be dealt with.

A look of ruthlessness flashed in Liu Wenguang’s eyes as he nodded. "Please tell His Highness that I shall carry out his orders perfectly. By the way, would you like me to take that Yue Fei away as well?"

"Lock him in the dungeon for now, but ensure he is not harmed. When His Highness needs him, he will come to claim him."

"I understand. I shall see to it at once."

As Liu Wenguang began planning how to apprehend Yue Fei and his men, he also started drafting his report of victory. Watching him, Yan Qing could only shake his head in secret. With officials such as these in the Song dynasty, how could it not fall?