Chapter Seventy-Eight: A Man Must Not Be Without Power

A true man cannot go a day without power; a lesser man cannot go a day without money.

Though these words were spoken by Wei Xiaobao, they ring true about the two things a man must possess to live freely in the world.

Since the day he left the pass, Zhao Yu had been pondering this matter. In this era, if one wished to live without being subject to others, one had to possess military strength of his own.

Although the north was sparsely populated, it never lacked for quality soldiers. Based on what he knew from his previous life and his firsthand experience walking the lands of the Liao, Zhao Yu was convinced that the Liao did not lack the will to conscript soldiers, but rather the means.

After the rise of the Jurchen, years of war in the north had severely hampered the Liao’s development. The last emperors of the Liao, restless in their final years, busied themselves with coups and infighting, gradually depleting the nation’s strength.

Moreover, the Khitan’s xenophobia and suspicion made them distrustful of soldiers from other ethnic groups, leading to a dwindling pool of able-bodied men.

With so many factors combined, it was a wonder the Liao lasted as long as it did.

Zhao Yu wanted to recruit troops, but the condition was that the commanding general must be a Khitan, so as not to arouse suspicion among the Liao leadership.

Though the commander would not be Zhao Yu himself, there were many ways to control an army. He certainly had no intention of toiling only for others to reap the rewards.

As for Zhao Yu’s memorial, Xiao Yiyi did not dwell on it. Zhao Yu was right: the military presence around Youzhou was dangerously thin. What if the Song army actually launched an attack?

Besides, conscription in the north would mostly draw Mongols and Khitans, and Zhao Yu could not possibly be the commander. What was there to worry about?

Zhao Yu’s memorial quickly reached the hands of Emperor Tianzuo, who was in quite a good mood lately, busy with hunting and barbecues, thoroughly enjoying himself.

The Jurchen were nearly at the gates, and yet he still had the leisure for such amusements—truly, a man with nerves of steel.

But in truth, he could hardly be blamed—he simply knew nothing of the real situation. The reports of battle, all intercepted by Prince Lanling, Xiao Fengxian, the Privy Councillor, never reached him.

The only reason Zhao Yu’s memorial slipped through was because Xiao Yiyi had first sent a letter to the Empress Dowager in her own name, who then passed it on to the Emperor.

Upon reading the memorial, Emperor Tianzuo hesitated. His brother-in-law had not even arrived yet and was already causing a string of issues—now he wanted to recruit soldiers? What was he up to?

It is human nature, when uncertain, to seek counsel from the one most trusted. For Emperor Tianzuo, that person was, of course, Xiao Fengxian.

At this moment, Xiao Fengxian had just seen off a guest—a Han man from the Central Plains who called himself Yang Xu.

Yang Xu’s purpose in visiting Xiao Fengxian was simple: to ask that Lord Xiao look after his master, Zhao Yu, in the future.

Naturally, such a request was not made for nothing. Yang Xu had presented nearly a hundred thousand taels’ worth of gifts to Xiao Fengxian.

Xiao Fengxian’s greatest pleasure was the collection of gold and silver, and he received gifts daily; but never had anyone been so generous as Yang Xu.

His sister had already urged him to facilitate the marriage between the princess and Zhao Yu. Now, even though he had yet to meet Zhao Yu, the gifts had arrived first, and Xiao Fengxian couldn’t help but feel a strong liking for this future imperial son-in-law and King of Song, whom he had never met.

After patting his chest and promising to look after Zhao Yu, and seeing Yang Xu out the door, Xiao Fengxian was immediately summoned by the Emperor’s envoy.

Following the eunuch to the palace, he read the memorial the Emperor had handed over and frowned slightly. Zhao Yu’s men had just delivered gifts, and now Zhao Yu was stirring up trouble—was this all part of some scheme?

His instincts told him it was not so simple, but where the issue lay, he could not immediately tell.

“What do you make of this?” asked the Emperor.

“Your Majesty, the King of Song’s memorial is not unreasonable. The Song has mobilized two hundred thousand troops, while our forces in Youzhou number only a few tens of thousands. If the Song launches a full assault, we will be hard-pressed to defend all fronts.”

Having accepted Zhao Yu’s gifts, and unable to see through his possible schemes, Xiao Fengxian thought it wise to grant this favor.

Emperor Tianzuo nodded, “The situation in the north is dire; conscription is imperative. But the military funds...”

Though fond of pleasure, the Emperor was no fool; the bankruptcy of the state was an open secret.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Fengxian suddenly smiled, “Your Majesty, since it was the King of Song who proposed this, let him be responsible for it. As long as we hold the command of the army, what can he possibly do?”

The circumstances surrounding Zhao Yu’s appointment as Governor of Youzhou were much as he had deduced. However, just as Xiao Fengxian had said, without military command, Zhao Yu’s talents could not be brought to bear.

“Your Majesty, as the Han saying goes: ‘Do not employ those you suspect, do not suspect those you employ.’ The Emperor of Song’s actions have clearly wounded King Song deeply. Your Majesty, with the breadth of the sea, entrusts King Song with great responsibility—this not only shows Your Majesty’s wisdom, but also gives King Song a chance. If he fails to seize it, he will have only himself to blame.”

Flattery is always pleasant to the ear; these words made Emperor Tianzuo beam with delight. He nodded, “Well said! Recently, I’ve also heard rumors that the Song sent Zhao Yu here with ulterior motives. But as you say, I have given him a chance—if he does not make good use of it, can I not simply have him killed? Ha ha...”

“Your Majesty is truly wise!”

Having delivered his flattery, Xiao Fengxian could not help but grow uneasy. Who was it sowing discord before the Emperor? He had to find this person—and also relay the news to Zhao Yu. The boy was young, but wealthy, and he might as well help him spend some of it...

Any problem that could be solved with silver was no problem at all. Zhao Yu enjoyed dealing with corrupt officials, for they had no bottom line; for profit, they would sell even their own fathers.

When Zhao Yu’s party arrived at Youzhou, it was already mid-November. The weather had grown even colder, and after a heavy snowfall, the world was wrapped in a mantle of silver.

Such weather was a nightmare for the Song army; even if they had assembled their forces, it was unlikely they would launch an immediate attack.

Though the Song would not attack, Zhao Yu dared not delay—not if he wanted to set the conscription process in motion as soon as possible.

Yelü Dashi was tall and robust, his cultured features beneath a sable hat making it hard to associate him with a military man—he looked more like a scholar.

Yelü Dashi received Zhao Yu with great courtesy, arranging lodgings for his party and laying out a banquet at his own residence for Zhao Yu and Xiao Yiyi.

Although it was their first real meeting, Zhao Yu had a strong sense that Yelü Dashi would be a formidable opponent.

Yelü Dashi was clearly adept at socializing. After his guests were seated, a few words were enough to set the mood, and with laughter and frequent toasts, it felt like a reunion of old friends.

Yelü Min, on the other hand, could not help himself. After a cup of wine, he blurted out, “General Dashi, is there any news of the Song army?”

Yelü Min’s task was to escort Xiao Yiyi, and now, with his mission nearly complete, he could depart at any time.

Yelü Dashi smiled, “With His Highness the King of Song as Governor of Youzhou, the Song army is of little concern. Is that not so, Your Highness?”

“Oh, I nearly forgot to report—His Majesty ordered you to take charge of conscription, but I found it inappropriate and have already sealed the decree and returned it.”

Hearing Yelü Dashi’s words, Zhao Yu was first taken aback, then smiled...