Chapter 106: Temptation

Inside Zhending city there was a Hall of Awaiting Worthies. Though its grounds were not extensive, it boasted a tranquil environment. Liu Chengyou had housed more than ten high-ranking civil and military dignitaries of the former dynasty, including Feng Dao, here, with a number of soldiers arranged around the perimeter for their protection.

The guards around an independent small courtyard northeast of the hall were especially tight, with all contact in and out forbidden—clearly a matter of great importance. But compared to the protection given the other quarters, the element of house arrest here was obviously greater.

In fact, it was house arrest. And the man under house arrest was none other than the Prince of Yan, Zhao Yanshou. Earlier, after Yelu Deguang's death, he had intended to rally the Yan troops and assert his independence, even proclaiming the slogan "I will not re-enter the Dragon Sands." Unfortunately, his strength was insufficient, hearts were not united, and his actions were hesitant—so Yelu Ruan struck first, sending men to shackle and imprison him.

When Liu Chengyou launched his night raid, Zhao Yanshou was rescued amid the chaos by some loyal subordinates, but he was wounded, and after the melee he was captured by soldiers of Murong Yanzhao's Fourth Army. Liu Chengyou had received Zhao Yanshou only once, then ordered him kept under tight custody. Thereafter, weighed down by a hundred affairs, he paid him no further attention.

In the small courtyard there was a well. Zhao Yanshou sat on the well's rim, head lowered, staring into it. There was a trace of melancholy in his gaze. He had no intention of jumping in—he was merely somewhat lost in thought.

Midsummer had arrived, and the weather was exceptionally hot. The faint coolness rising from the deep well was rather pleasant. Zhao Yanshou had been living fairly comfortably this period. As a prisoner, aside from his restricted freedom, nothing humiliating had befallen him.

Food and clothing were not lacking either. Though rather simple, the entire city was on rationed supplies. Moreover, a physician had treated his wounds, so Zhao Yanshou had been able to cultivate his health and temper quite well. At the same time, facing such "courtesy," he had gained some confidence in his heart—his life was certainly safe.

As for the purpose of his house arrest here, he could not yet guess it, but he believed Liu Chengyou surely had some aim.

After a great upheaval, one inevitably reflects and sums things up. Zhao Yanshou reviewed the first half of his life and found that his peak period was still the Later Tang era—those years after he married and became the Imperial Son-in-law of Emperor Mingzong, rising swiftly through the ranks: in the capital, Commissioner of Military Affairs and Chief Minister; in the provinces, Chancellor-Governor.

After going north into Khitan territory, though Yelu Deguang valued him and entrusted him with the affairs of Youzhou, making him nearly the foremost Han under the Khitan, he was ultimately living under another's roof—how good could his days really be? He had once harbored the aspiration of being enthroned as Emperor of the Central Plains, but after exhausting his efforts to help destroy the Later Jin, Yelu Deguang very naturally pulled the trick of burning the bridge after crossing and killing the donkey after the millwork.

Thinking of what happened afterward, had Liu Chengyou not raided the Liao camp by night, Zhao Yanshou was certain he would not have lived much longer.

"I wonder how my son Kuangzan is faring now? Hezhong has always been a place of trouble!" Abruptly, Zhao Yanshou thought of his son Zhao Kuangzan, who was serving as Military Governor in Hezhong.

"I imagine it hasn't been easy for him either!"

As he was pondering, several armored soldiers suddenly burst into the courtyard. Startled, Zhao Yanshou looked up and saw the absurdly young Second Prince strolling in with an unhurried air.

Seeing Zhao Yanshou sitting by the well, Liu Chengyou's cold expression carried confidence and forcefulness. He said lightly: "Prince of Yan!"

Zhao Yanshou, who considered himself a hero of his generation, wanted to put on some airs before Liu Chengyou, but in the end he had to lower his head. Under Liu Chengyou's amused gaze, he could not hold out, and with a complicated feeling, he rose to receive him.

"How has the Prince of Yan been lately? How is your wound recovering?" Not minding Zhao Yanshou's little show of pride, Liu Chengyou said casually. The moment he opened his mouth, an air of victor's confidence came washing over.

"I thank Your Highness the Prince for your concern. It is no longer a problem!" Subconsciously he touched his arm—the wound still ached.

"Previously I was tied up with mundane affairs and did not have time to visit. I hope the Prince of Yan will not take offense." Liu Chengyou said.

"Your Highness has been through military campaigns and handled state affairs. How could a prisoner under the stairs presume to trouble you?" Zhao Yanshou said.

In dealing with Liu Chengyou, Zhao Yanshou was very careful. In his view, Liu Chengyou was at the height of youthful triumph, and for him to put on such a posture definitely meant something was wrong.

Liu Chengyou's expression did not change much, as if reciting lines: "I have brought some meat this time, wishing to share it with the Prince of Yan!"

With that, he walked slowly toward the house.

In the small room, the table was simply set. He sat down across from Zhao Yanshou. Li Chongju unwrapped several oil-paper bundles he was carrying and spread them open—a fragrance of meat drifted out.

The meat was mutton. The preparation was simple, looking rather greasy and strongly flavored, but it was satisfying to eat. In these times of scarce supplies, being able to get a bit of grease made it a delicacy.

Probably because the bland days of this period had been hard to endure, Zhao Yanshou ate with great gusto.

"I have issued a ban on alcohol, so I can only offer tea in place of wine!" Licking his lips, Liu Chengyou picked up a cup of clear water and gestured.

Zhao Yanshou immediately responded in kind.

After a full meal of meat, Zhao Yanshou perked up. Looking at Liu Chengyou's young face, he probed in a low voice: "May I ask what instruction Your Highness the Prince has for this visit?"

From Zhao Yanshou's tone, Liu Chengyou could sense a hint of impatience. He tossed away the remaining bone in his hand, took out a handkerchief to wipe his hands, and instead of answering, asked in return: "Does the Prince of Yan have any intention of returning to Youzhou?"

"Hm?" Zhao Yanshou was slightly startled, and said doubtfully: "What does Your Highness mean by that?"

"The Prince of Yan managed Youzhou for the Khitan for ten years, yet because of your status as a Han minister, you suffered the suspicion of the Khitan nobles. Ten years of toil turned to a puff of smoke, even your life nearly lost—does the Prince of Yan accept that?" Liu Chengyou continued to press.

His brows knitted together, and the suspicion in Zhao Yanshou's eyes grew thicker. Looking at Liu Chengyou, he no longer bothered to feign caution: "Your Highness has come—what is your real purpose? Speak plainly!"

Seeing this, Liu Chengyou did not beat around the bush either—he was not a man who liked to. Meeting Zhao Yanshou's gaze, Liu Chengyou said directly: "I wish to release the Prince of Yan to return north to Youzhou, and to memorialize the Son of Heaven, making the lands of Youyan your fief, hereditary in perpetuity!"

Hearing this, Zhao Yanshou looked at Liu Chengyou's calm face, raised his eyebrows, but showed no excitement. He said mockingly: "A grand promise, but unfortunately utterly empty—Youyan is still in Khitan hands. Surely you don't expect me to go seize it myself?"

"Exactly that!" Liu Chengyou nodded very frankly.

Zhao Yanshou was directly laughed into anger: "If Your Highness came to toy with this prisoner, then your purpose has already been achieved!"

"I have no such leisure to jest with the Prince of Yan!" Liu Chengyou's expression was unchanged: "The Prince of Yan managed Youzhou for ten years, and with your late father's legacy, your roots run deep. Raising a force should hardly be difficult!"

Zhao Yanshou was stunned for a moment, sank into thought for a while, and slowly, a glint of light flashed in his eyes: "You want me to stir up chaos in Youzhou, tie down the Khitan's attention, relieve the pressure on your dynasty's realm, and even become your shield against the Khitan!"

"That's one way to put it!" Liu Chengyou nodded.

Zhao Yanshou sneered directly: "That's sending me to my death!"

"This is a gamble—it just depends on whether the Prince of Yan is willing to bet!" Liu Chengyou said leisurely: "The Prince of Yan is now unwelcome among the Khitan. Under the new dynasty, perhaps my father in his mercy will spare your life, but from now on, you would likely be nothing but a farmer. The Prince of Yan is in the prime of life—are you content with that? Facing the Khitan's betrayal, do you have no thoughts of revenge?"

Hearing this, Zhao Yanshou shook his head, a hint of contempt in his expression: "Such goading tactics are useless on me!"

Facing his reaction, Liu Chengyou remained as calm as still water, speaking to himself: "At the Battle of Luancheng, the Khitan suffered heavy losses—truly a broken bone and torn sinew. Their domestic situation is bound to be turbulent. After the southern campaign to destroy the Later Jin, both the Han and Hu peoples of Youyan have been over-oppressed, and an uprising could erupt at any moment. I have heard that the Yongkang King Yelu Ruan is gathering troops at Youzhou, his ambition to seize the throne plain for all to see. The Prince of Yan surely knows something of the Khitan's situation—would the Empress Dowager Shulu Ping allow the son of the King of Dongdan to become emperor? What will happen next..."

Liu Chengyou spoke slowly, his tone saturated with temptation and incitement. Zhao Yanshou listened silently, gradually wearing a thoughtful expression.

"I have spoken to the Prince of Yan with an open heart. It's still that same sentence—it just depends on whether the Prince of Yan dares to make this bet?"

Liu Chengyou's voice sounded in his ears again. Zhao Yanshou snapped back to attention and looked at him: "To split territory and be enfeoffed as a king—do you have such authority?"

"Naturally not!" Liu Chengyou said: "However, as the Prince of Yan said, the lands of Youyan are still in Khitan hands, and the new dynasty has no strength to march north. Rather than let my Han homeland fall into alien hands and my Han people suffer the bullying of the Hu barbarians, it is better to entrust it to the Prince of Yan's rule. I have confidence I can persuade the Son of Heaven!"

Hearing this, Zhao Yanshou shook his head and laughed again: "You truly overestimate me. I don't have that much ability—to raise an uprising in Youzhou!"

"I have prepared an army for the Prince of Yan!"