Chapter 1223: Exposing Each Other's Faults

"This is Yelu Xianshi, chancellor of the Northern Bureau of the Great Liao!" Yelu Jing introduced.

Yelu Xianshi stepped forward, clasped his hands and bowed to Emperor Liu, though his expression was stern, cold as a block of ice.

Emperor Liu, in turn, sized him up with interest and said, "I have heard of you — that you are playful and irreverent, known to no one, and only Yelu Wuzhi praised you as having the great talent to steward a nation. Back then, leading your remnant forces, you sparred with our Great Han's two generals Shi and Guo in the southern mountains. The assessment they gave you then — able to stoop and to stand, cunning as a fox — I still remember it vividly to this day..."

"Your Majesty flatters me! I am but a mediocre minister!" Yelu Xianshi's expression softened somewhat as he replied.

"And who might this general be?" Yelu Jing also asked.

Emperor Liu tilted his head and said with a light laugh, "A famed commander of the Great Han, Duke of Rong — Zhao Kuangyin!"

At that, Zhao Kuangyin also stepped forward and clasped his fists in a cursory salute. Yelu Jing, for his part, cast a sidelong glance at Zhao Kuangyin and said in a contemptuous tone, "Among the generals of the Southern Court, I have only heard of Murong Yanzhao, Ma Quanyi, An Shenqi, Fu Yanqing, and Yang Ye. As for this Duke of Rong — who he is, I must beg your pardon for my ignorance. By the way, Murong and Ma are now deceased, An and Fu are advanced in years, so it seems only Yang Ye remains..."

Zhao Kuangyin, even if not famed across the seas, was truly an important minister in the Great Han's military and political affairs — how could Yelu Jing not have heard of him? His saying so was clearly deliberate.

And Zhao Kuangyin, thus humiliated, had his face darken several shades, as if storm clouds shrouded it. Seeing his appearance, Emperor Liu could not help but worry whether Zhao Kuangyin might unleash his "Patriarch's Long Fist" and smash it right into Yelu Jing's face.

Of course, Zhao Kuangyin was not the impulsive sort, and given the occasion, he habitually let out a hearty laugh and replied with easy grace, "The Great Han has countless men of both civil and martial excellence, and too many seasoned warriors to count. Compared to them, I am naturally a man of no repute!"

Having drunk some wine, both men's spirits had risen. Emperor Liu had Zhao Kuangyin take a seat, and Yelu Jing likewise had Yelu Xianshi sit down. Looking at Yelu Jing, whose face showed the flush of drink, Emperor Liu said, "I hear the Liao sovereign has two passions in life: one is hunting, and when he hunts, it lasts for days; the other is drinking, and when he drinks, he stays up through the night. Indulging so deeply in these — how does one govern a state?"

Hearing this, Yelu Jing appeared unconcerned and said with confidence, "The Great Liao lacks neither wise ministers to govern the state nor good generals to quell rebellion. With them wholeheartedly assisting me, what need have I to worry? Though I delight in drinking and hunting, has the national strength ever wavered? Have the tribes and common folk ever revolted?"

Clearly, Yelu Jing did not see this as a concern — rather, he was rather proud of it. In truth, being able to manage things to such a degree was rare in history. Of course, the hidden worries and contradictions not fit for outsiders' ears were deliberately ignored.

Pausing, Yelu Jing looked at Emperor Liu and took aim at his aged appearance: "Were I like the Han sovereign, handling everything personally, I fear I too would now have frost at both temples!"

Emperor Liu simply smiled, pointing at his own temples: "These prematurely gray hairs of mine — for the state, for the family, for the people of the realm, for the rivers and mountains of the empire — these are my medals of honor."

"The Han sovereign has fine bearing!" Yelu Jing raised an eyebrow slightly, his eyes rolling, and added, "I have heard that the Han sovereign is fond of women, often afflicted with the ailment of the solitary man, and especially partial to sisters. Such romantic flair may be called peerless — I dare not compare myself to you!"

At these words, the skin on Emperor Liu's face twitched. Matters of private virtue did not concern him, but being exposed to his face still stirred slight ripples within.

However, with Emperor Liu's depth of cunning, he could suppress any emotion, and soon revealed a gentle smile: "The tale of Ehuang and Nüying is a celebrated story through the ages — nothing to laugh at!"

Then Emperor Liu's counterattack came: "I hear the Liao sovereign keeps little company with women — why is that? The continuation of bloodline, the succession of state and family — these are matters of utmost importance concerning the ancestral temples and the altars of state!"

Before Yelu Jing could interject, Emperor Liu called over Liu Fang, who stood at attention with sword in hand behind him, and introduced him: "This is my fourth son, Liu Fang. He is fond of archery and hunting, and quite skilled on horseback! I now have fifteen sons..."

Emperor Liu's bringing up the matter of heirs nearly broke Yelu Jing's composure. He instinctively clenched his fist, but still strove to restrain himself. Picking up his cup, he took a fierce gulp of wine, then raised his eyes to look at the tall, resolute-faced Liu Fang and said with a mocking smile, "Truly valiant and extraordinary — the Han sovereign has worthy successors. The one who will inherit your enterprise in the future — it is this son, is it not?"

The moment these words fell, Emperor Liu's fist also clenched tight. The look he gave Yelu Jing turned terrifying for the first time. But how could Yelu Jing be intimidated? His smile only deepened.

At this moment, Liu Fang spoke up on his own: "My family's enterprise has its Crown Prince — the title was settled long ago. Liu Fang is but a subject!"

Liu Fang's words were firm and resolute. His earnest, composed expression actually made Yelu Jing pause for a moment. Emperor Liu was also somewhat surprised, glanced at this beloved son of his, waved his hand at him, and said with a light laugh, "Liu Fang, do not be rude!"

Then he looked to Yelu Jing and said leisurely, "Blessed by heaven — this is my son, loyal and filial!"

"Heh heh!" Yelu Jing just smiled and did not argue on that point.

Having walked the path of power struggles and fratricidal slaughter himself, Yelu Jing held some disdain for Emperor Liu's confidence. What good was having many sons — did it not just facilitate court infighting and brothers at each other's throats?

Emperor Liu, of course, had no idea of Yelu Jing's malicious expectations for his sons. Looking at Yelu Jing, whose spirits were gradually returning to "normal," he continued, "I have also heard that the Liao sovereign is fond of killing — the peculiar thing being that you do not punish ministers above nor abuse the people below, but treat your close attendants as cattle and slaves, slaughtering them at will, meting out heavy punishment for minor faults..."

As he spoke, Emperor Liu clicked his tongue twice: "Thinking on it, I truly shudder. If a group of people whose lives and deaths are not guaranteed are left to serve a sovereign, then how can the sovereign's own safety be assured?"

Emperor Liu's voice seemed to carry a certain hypnotic quality, plucking at Yelu Jing's somewhat strained nerves. Subconsciously glancing at the several close attendants serving nearby, a thing called murderous intent flashed in Yelu Jing's eyes, frightening those attendants into trembling terror.

Restrain. Keep restraining. That was probably what he was telling himself inwardly, especially after seeing Emperor Liu's half-smiling expression. Taking a deep breath, Yelu Jing struck back: "I have also heard that the Han emperor is deep and suspicious. The founding meritorious ministers, the Qianyou meritorious officials — I wonder how many of those in power still remain?"

"..."

The meeting gradually devolved into the two emperors exposing each other's faults — you had your words, I had my retorts, thoroughly enjoying themselves. Until the wine ran deep and men grew drunk — though of course, Emperor Liu was faking it, and Yelu Jing was faking it too. Emperor Liu drank with restraint; Yelu Jing was simply accustomed to it.

"Meeting with the Liao sovereign today, sitting and discoursing on matters of state, has been quite refreshing. It has been long since I was this pleased!" Emperor Liu raised a finger toward the sky and said, "However, it is growing late. Shall we end here for today and each go our separate ways?"

"The soldiers have been facing off for a long time now; they must be hungry and thirsty. For the pleasure of us two to make tens of thousands of soldiers suffer — that would not be right!" Yelu Jing also said.

"Then we withdraw the feast and take our leave?" Emperor Liu's smile was warm.

"Farewell!" Yelu Jing nodded.

As he rose, Yelu Jing asked Emperor Liu again: "Has the Han sovereign enjoyed himself fully today?"

"It seems I, as host, have not entertained well enough to satisfy my honored guest!" Emperor Liu caught the implication at once and replied directly: "What does the Liao sovereign propose?"

"The Han sovereign invited me to hunt together here — yet not a single arrow has been loosed, not a single quarry taken. How can that be satisfying?" Yelu Jing countered.

Emperor Liu said immediately: "Tomorrow, each side shall select their finest warriors, and in the enclosed hunting grounds we shall ride and shoot — how about a contest between the brave men of Han and Liao?"

"Good!" Yelu Jing answered crisply.