Chapter Seventy-Seven: A New Appointment

If you always think others are fools, in the end, you may be the biggest fool of all.

Togtokh’s final performance was nothing short of flawless: on one hand, he clearly demonstrated that the Mongol tribes harbored no intent of treachery; on the other, his words served as a warning to Xiao Yiyi and the other Khitans that if the Mongols were pushed to the brink, there was nothing they wouldn’t dare to do.

Cunning and shrewd—that was Zhao Yu’s assessment of Togtokh. Still, whatever one might say, this crisis had, for now, passed.

By this time, daylight had fully broken. The troops and horses had scarcely rested in days in preparation for the conflict, and there was still a long journey ahead. The entire company needed to recuperate in the Merkit camp before setting out again.

After instructing Togtokh to make the necessary arrangements, everyone tactfully vacated the royal tent, leaving it to Zhao Yu and Xiao Yiyi, who were soon to be wed.

Once the others had left, Xiao Yiyi could no longer restrain herself and said to Zhao Yu, “This was such a momentous affair—why didn’t you tell me ahead of time? Aren’t you afraid my imperial brother might refuse?”

Zhao Yu forced a wry smile. “To be honest, I’d been puzzling over why the Mongols would be swayed by the Jurchens. It wasn’t until I entered the main tent that the answer hit me. By then, there was no time to consult with you.”

“But as I understand it, the Jurchens in the north have grown relentless. Nearly all your forces have been shifted to the northern front. If trouble should flare up in your rear at a time like this, the consequences could be disastrous. That’s why I’m certain your imperial brother will agree.”

At the mention of the northern Jurchens, Xiao Yiyi fell silent. She couldn’t deny the truth: since the Jurchens’ rise, the greater part of the northern territories had been lost, and the army had suffered defeat after defeat. Just as Zhao Yu had said, if unrest broke out on the Mongolian steppe as well, who could predict what chaos might ensue?

With a faint sigh, she said, “If only I were a great general who could stride across the battlefield.”

But then, her spirits lifted and she exclaimed, “Why don’t I beg my imperial brother to let you command the army, and I’ll serve as your strategist? You’re full of clever ideas. The two of us—husband and wife—could surely defeat the Jurchens!”

Zhao Yu couldn’t help but laugh inwardly. The young lady could be astute one moment and adorably naive the next. Did she really think war was child’s play? Besides, he was Han Chinese—how could the Khitan emperor ever entrust military command to him?

“True, when husband and wife are united, their strength is as hard as steel. But first, we need to survive this immediate crisis. Otherwise, if the Mongols cause trouble afterward, the blame will fall squarely on me.”

Xiao Yiyi had wanted to mention “husband and wife” acting together, but shyness held her back. Zhao Yu, on the other hand, was thick-skinned and stated it outright.

Hearing his words, Xiao Yiyi felt a sweet warmth in her heart, though she still gave him a playful, reproachful glance.

“So you see, no matter what, this matter must be accomplished. I believe there are wise and clear-sighted officials at the Liao court who will understand what’s at stake.”

“There’s another thing: why doesn’t the court conscript soldiers from among the Mongols?”

“I’m not entirely sure about conscription, but as far as I know, there are already quite a few Mongols in the army.”

“What you just said about wanting to be a great general gave me an idea: could I form my own personal guard?”

Zhao Yu posed this question with care, and it was only to Xiao Yiyi that he dared ask it—any other Khitan would surely suspect his motives. And indeed, his motives were not entirely pure.

But Xiao Yiyi misunderstood him, smiling as she replied, “Of course you need your own personal guard. But with me here, no one could harm you anyway.”

The question was sensitive. Although Xiao Yiyi would never betray him, Zhao Yu wasn’t ready to reveal his intentions so soon.

What Zhao Yu didn’t know was that, although the recent raid had been small in scale, the performance of Lin Chong, Wu Song, and Lu Zhishen had left a deep impression on both the Mongol and Khitan soldiers. Steppe folk revered heroes. If those three were put forward as leaders and offered generous pay, putting together a capable force would not be difficult.

With the Song army about to launch its campaign, Zhao Yu, Xiao Yiyi, and their companions had no desire to linger in the Merkit camp. Two days later, the company set out once more.

To show his sincerity, Togtokh sent them off with a great many cattle, sheep, and supplies, and ordered his son Bahai to escort them with two thousand cavalry.

Though their force had grown, their speed did not slacken. But soon after leaving the Merkit camp, an imperial edict arrived from Shangjing.

The Heavenly Blessing Emperor appointed Zhao Yu as Governor of the Yan-Yun Circuit, to defend Youzhou and lead the resistance against the Song army, with Yelü Dashi as his lieutenant and collaborator.

When Zhao Yu heard the news, he thought his ears must be deceiving him. He, a prince of the Song, was to lead troops against the Song army? Had the Heavenly Blessing Emperor lost his mind?

But the emperor was anything but irrational. In fact, he had carefully considered this move. No one, not even Xiao Yiyi, had ever heard of the post of Governor of the Youzhou Circuit before. But once you connected the dots with Yelü Dashi, it was clear: Zhao Yu was meant to be nothing but a figurehead.

The Song army was attacking Youzhou, after all. Very well, then—let the Song prince defend Youzhou. If the city held, all would be well. But if it fell, the first to lose his head would be the Song prince himself.

Xiao Yiyi quickly realized what was happening. But from her perspective, defending the realm was her duty. She couldn’t refuse the appointment on Zhao Yu’s behalf just because her husband was Han.

Zhao Yu had even less reason to refuse. The situation now was such that, even knowing full well he was stepping into a furnace, he had no choice but to jump in. That was the power of an open scheme.

Yet Zhao Yu felt little resentment. His own imperial father had already abandoned him—how could he blame the Liao emperor for being heartless? In fact, he almost welcomed it; at least now, whatever he did in the future to Liao, he’d have no burden on his conscience.

What truly piqued Zhao Yu’s interest was Yelü Dashi. In history, after the Jurchen conquest of Liao, it was this man who led the remnants westward and founded Western Liao. He must have been quite a remarkable figure.

Seeing Zhao Yu lost in thought, Xiao Yiyi feared he was distraught and hastened to comfort him gently: “Don’t worry too much. Didn’t you say the Song army couldn’t break through? Besides, perhaps this is just a test from my imperial brother.”

“That’s not what concerns me. Since I’ve now been granted title by Liao, this country is, in a way, my home. If my home is in trouble, how could I just stand by?”

Hearing these words, Xiao Yiyi’s heart leapt with joy. She would have been lying if she claimed not to worry Zhao Yu might still be loyal to Song. Now, hearing him regard Liao as his home, she knew he had truly severed ties with his birth country.

Zhao Yu went on, “One must always be fully prepared. Since His Majesty has named me Governor of the Youzhou Circuit, I’ll begin by submitting a memorial in my new capacity.”

“That’s just as it should be. But wouldn’t it be even better to submit it as Prince of Song?”

“Let’s set the title of Prince of Song aside for now. This isn’t the time to provoke my imperial father.”

“You’re right. So what will the memorial say?”

“Recruit soldiers!”

Zhao Yu uttered just those two words, but in his eyes shone a strange light...