Chapter 1500: Wanyan Comes to Court, the Northeast Brews Turmoil

"I understand the intent of Commandant Wanyan, and I will naturally report it on your behalf. You have come from afar, weary from travel — please first rest at the guesthouse. Tonight a banquet will be held, and I shall personally attend to host you, fulfilling the duties of a host!" Inside the Court of Dependencies, Prince of Qin Liu Xu raised his teacup, slowly brought it to his lips, and spoke to Wanyan Bahai, who sat before him in a solemn posture. (Replace every occurrence of 'Wanyan Bohai' in the chapter with 'Wanyan Bahai'.)

The man before him was an old fellow of rough appearance, his face written with stories, bearing all the marks of years of hardship.

Though old with white beard, he looked exceptionally robust, clad in brocade robes, yet unable to conceal a defiant air. But this was in the imperial capital of the Great Han, within the Court of Dependencies, and before him sat Prince of Qin Liu Xu — all wildness and unruliness had to be restrained and suppressed.

This man was none other than the chieftain of the Jurchen Wanyan tribe, the Songmo Commandant appointed by the court, Wanyan Bohai. This time, coming to the capital, Wanyan Bahai was far more composed and far more assured than on his last visit.

Wanyan Bohai understood well the Prince of Qin's gesture of raising the teacup to signal dismissal, yet he still could not resist lingering, and asked: "May I ask, Your Highness, when might I have an audience with His Majesty? (Also line 10: 'Then I must thank Your Highness for the trouble!' and line 12: 'Thank you, Your Highness! Your Highness, please do not trouble to see me off!') Having come from afar to pay homage, I am eager beyond measure to behold the imperial countenance and humbly listen to the sacred edicts..."

Seeing the old chieftain's humble and deferential manner, Liu Xu's face remained impassive, without any impatience, and he only said gently: "Commandant, do not be anxious. Since you have come, there will naturally be an opportunity to meet His Majesty. But the palace is strictly guarded, and I must first make a request to His Majesty's side. Please be patient — I will make the arrangements!"

Every word Liu Xu spoke was extremely gentle, yet brooked no rebuttal. Wanyan Bohai could feel that faint, elusive pressure — behind the spring breeze and gentle rain lay an unrefusable will.

To this, Wanyan Bohai, though eager to see the Emperor, had no choice but to obey Liu Xu's arrangements. He rose and bowed his back: "Then I thank the Great King for his trouble!"

"It is only proper!" Liu Xu smiled slightly: "Not to mention the duties of the Court of Dependencies, even simply because the Commandant has come in sincerity, I, on behalf of the court, dare not treat you with neglect!"

"Thank you, Great King! Great King, please stay!" Seeing Liu Xu about to rise and see him off, Wanyan Bohai put on a look of flattered surprise and hastily called out.

"Take Commandant Wanyan to the guesthouse, give proper instructions, and receive him well!" Liu Xu summoned a subordinate official and gave his orders.

"Yes!"

"What does the Prince of Dongping think of this Wanyan Bohai?" There was another man seated in the guest seat — the Prince of Dongping, Zhao Kuangzan.

Over the years, Zhao Kuangzan had held several posts in the court, and after going around, had come again to the Court of Dependencies as deputy director, assisting Liu Xu. Besides the fact that he had once overseen the affairs of the court, this was also because the Court of Dependencies' standing among the court ministries had been gradually rising — after all, the empire had many ethnic groups within its borders, the situation was complex, and the various affairs involved had grown increasingly intricate.

Hearing Liu Xu's question, Zhao Kuangzan took a sip of tea before slowly saying: "This man appears respectful but is in truth cunning. Though aged, he is hale and spirited, his eyes bright and sharp. In my view, he is truly a ruthless and ambitious strongman.

The Jurchen are scattered across the vast Song-Liao region, and few branches have risen to prominence. Yet Wanyan Bohai managed to seize the opportunity amid the chaos of the Northeast to rise, submit to the court, and obtain titles and support. Though they suffered setbacks earlier, they were scattered yet never in disarray — just from this, one can see he is no ordinary man.

This man uses humble words and lavish gifts, but in truth harbors wild ambitions. The court may use him, yet must not fail to guard against him!"

"It seems the Prince of Dongping holds some wariness toward this man!" Hearing this assessment, Liu Xu could not help but laugh.

"Your Highness, when I was stationed at Youzhou in the past, I also had dealings with these northeastern barbarians. A man like Wanyan Bohai, though he has submitted to the Great Han, does so only because the court is powerful.

One such as Wanyan Bohai likely only wishes to rely on the court to expand his territory and strengthen his power. His close dealings with the court have only spanned these few years — in two or three years, how much gratitude and loyalty can he truly hold toward the court?" Zhao Kuangzan said leisurely.

"The Prince of Dongping speaks sensibly!" Liu Xu nodded continuously upon hearing this, then sighed: "This man's coming to court this time — I fear the situation in the Northeast will stir up waves again!"

"Your Highness surely has a good sense of it as well!" said Zhao Kuangzan.

Liu Xu's expression turned somewhat more serious, and he said: "I still remember that after Patrol Inspector Ma captured Huanglong Prefecture, to fulfill his promise, he promised the Tieli region to the Wanyan Jurchen, leaving them to take it for themselves.

Now, the Tieli region is held by the various Shiwei tribes. For Wanyan Bohai to take it, warfare is unavoidable. Though he tried to conceal it just now, his purpose in coming is clear — he has come to request support."

"Exactly as Your Highness says!" Zhao Kuangzan said: "Through the northern campaigns, the Shiwei have indeed grown considerably, and have become a force in the Northeast that cannot be ignored.

Compared to them, the Wanyan Jurchen are indeed at a considerable disadvantage. If they wish to seize the Tieli region from the Shiwei, without the court's support, it would be utterly impossible. Even if they succeeded by luck, facing the Shiwei's counterattack, they would find it hard to hold.

In fact, I am somewhat surprised by the Wanyan tribe's patience. Last year, the court provided the Wanyan tribe with considerable grain and weapons. I had originally thought they would impatiently raise troops and cross the river to expand northward. Who would have thought that Wanyan Bohai would hold back for a full year and a half, only coming to the capital this autumn to request aid!"

"According to various reports from the Northeast, over this past year and more, the Wanyan tribe has not been idle — they have been stockpiling military supplies, training their warriors, and also recruiting over ten thousand Jurchen tribesmen from the surrounding areas, gaining more than three thousand strong soldiers. Perhaps in Wanyan Bohai's view, the time has come — it is time to act!" Liu Xu said.

"On the Shiwei side, having been at peace for so long, their vigilance has surely dropped considerably. If the Wanyan tribe launches a surprise attack, perhaps they truly might succeed and take Tieli Prefecture in one stroke!" Zhao Kuangzan analyzed:

"Moreover, if Wanyan Bohai obtains court aid this time and returns to the Northeast, the actual mobilization of troops would likely not come until next year. By then, they would have been preparing for a full two years. Two years of time is enough for them to launch a war!"

Liu Xu furrowed his brow: "The Wanyan tribe's ambition and purpose surely cannot escape His Majesty's discerning eyes. I only wonder how His Majesty will choose — whether he will decide to support Wanyan Bohai!"

Seeing the look of seeking counsel in Liu Xu's gaze, Zhao Kuangzan first clasped his hands toward the direction of the palace, then said: "His Majesty's thoughts are as deep as the sea, hard to fathom, but let me venture a guess — he will agree!"

"I remember His Majesty once said that among the various Jurchen tribes, the Wanyan had the bearing of a rising power. Now, under Wanyan Bohai's leadership, the tribe indeed shows signs of rising. Will His Majesty still agree?" Liu Xu said in a low voice.

Zhao Kuangzan thought for a moment, then said: "Your Highness should know that in the present Northeast, aside from the court, the dominant power is the Shiwei! If the Shiwei are strong, then they must be suppressed!

You must understand — when the Khitan once dominated beyond the borders and overawed all peoples, the Shiwei never truly submitted, rebelling from time to time. The Great Han cannot reach them with its long arm — so how could they truly submit to the Great Han?"

"When I see His Majesty, how should I report?" Liu Xu again showed his intent to seek counsel.

Since so much had already been said, meeting Liu Xu's gaze, Zhao Kuangzan said: "The court can support the Wanyan tribe's push northward, but with limited support. For them to succeed, they must still rely on their own strength.

Furthermore, if the Shiwei are strong, then support the Jurchen; if one day the Wanyan tribe grows too large, then the court's policy can naturally shift with the circumstances. In short, the court must maintain balance in the Northeast — even if it becomes a muddy mess with chaos everywhere, no single tribe or clan may be allowed to grow dominant!"

"I have been instructed!" Liu Xu was clearly a man of insight, and could judge that Zhao Kuangzan's thinking aligned with Emperor Liu's intentions, so he rose and gave a solemn bow.

"Your Highness need not do this — I cannot bear it!" Zhao Kuangzan did not accept the gesture, hastily rising to support Liu Xu.

No matter how graciously Liu Xu treated him, Zhao Kuangzan maintained his ministerial decorum, presenting an air of discussing official matters. He also knew very well that, all else aside, he, Zhao Kuangzan, was after all the father-in-law of the Prince of Zhao, Liu Fang.

"When the swords are drawn one day, I fear the Northeast will descend into chaos again!" Liu Xu paced a few steps in the hall and could not help but sigh.

"Have these past two years in the Northeast ever been peaceful? As long as the restoration of order in Liaodong is ensured, beyond Huanglong Prefecture, let them fight heaven and earth into chaos — what does it matter?" Zhao Kuangzan said calmly: "I trust the northeastern garrison can safeguard the stability of Liaodong!"