Chapter 84: Undercurrents in the Liao Camp

One by one, the Liao ministers and generals in the imperial tent filed out, each subconsciously letting out a sigh of relief before hurriedly dispersing to their own camps, conveying Yelu Deguang's will and carrying out his orders.

Yelu Ruan did the same, walking a full hundred paces before looking up at the thin crescent moon hanging high in the night sky, letting out a gloomy sigh. Worry was written across his square face framed by thick beard, and his mind was full of the scene before the emperor just now—he sensed danger.

"Great King!" As he was lost in thought, a figure stepped up beside Yelu Ruan and called out.

The soft voice startled Yelu Ruan. The newcomer was clearly a Khitan general, about the same age as Yelu Ruan, with something unusual showing on his face in the torchlight. This man was named Yelu Anbo, who had also been in the tent just now; his father had once supported Yelu Bei, and he maintained close secret ties with Yelu Ruan.

"Anbo!" Yelu Ruan glanced at Yelu Anbo, acknowledged him, and asked: "What is it?"

At the question, Yelu Anbo glanced toward the imperial tent, then leaned closer and lowered his voice even further: "Great King, something is not right. You should prepare early!"

His expression changed at the words, and Yelu Ruan also subconsciously looked toward the brightly lit imperial tent, then quickly pulled Yelu Anbo toward a dark corner nearby, glaring at him: "What do you mean?"

Seeing Yelu Ruan's reaction, Yelu Anbo was secretly relieved—he had been afraid the Yongkang King would show no response. Putting on a normal appearance, Yelu Anbo walked alongside Yelu Ruan while speaking in a low voice: "Since returning from the north, His Majesty's temper has grown increasingly violent. At the slightest displeasure, he metes out heavy punishment. Especially recently, he has already killed many palace eunuchs and ministers. The contrast with His Majesty's usual conduct is too stark!"

"What exactly are you trying to say!" Tension had already appeared on Yelu Ruan's face.

Yelu Anbo grew even more cautious: "Great King. I have investigated in secret—these past few days, His Majesty has secretly summoned several medical officers into his tent. Judging by their behavior, His Majesty's body seems to be in trouble..."

"You have quite the nerve! Daring to investigate the imperial tent in secret—do you want to die!" The moment the man finished speaking, Yelu Ruan suppressed his voice and shot him a fierce glare. Perhaps from the force of it, his face flushed slightly red.

Yelu Anbo remained very composed and continued: "Great King, can you not see what happened in the tent just now? His Majesty still harbors secret suspicions toward you! You are, after all, the son of the Great King of Dongdan. How could His Majesty ever treat you sincerely? If you are not on guard, I fear your life will be in danger sooner or later!"

Hearing this, Yelu Ruan subconsciously clenched his fists, furrowed his brows and glanced at him, saying nothing, wearing a contemplative expression. He looked calm, but his heavy breathing betrayed his anxious state of mind.

After a long silence, Yelu Ruan finally spoke, admonishing gravely: "Words of such treason must not be spoken again. Otherwise, even I cannot protect you."

"Great King—"

Not giving Yelu Anbo a chance to continue, Yelu Ruan gave him a stern look. After walking a few more steps, he lowered his voice and said: "For now, protecting ourselves is the most important thing. We must not act rashly. You—find an opportunity to see Yelu Jieli and reassure him on my behalf..."

"Yes!" Yelu Anbo was not stupid. At these words, a hint of joy crossed his brow, and he immediately replied: "I understand. Please rest assured."

After parting from Yelu Anbo, Yelu Ruan's expression grew even more somber. He was clearly pondering the man's words, hesitation gathering at his brow. Yelu Ruan had something of a reputation for virtue—lenient within, stern without, quite popular among the people. Add to that his noble Khitan birth and the historical baggage that came with it, how could he not have thoughts of his own?

The image of Yelu Deguang's eyes in the tent just now surfaced in his mind, and Yelu Ruan could not help but shudder, an inexplicable sense of urgency rising in his heart. But in the current army, Yelu Deguang was still the emperor whose single word decided the life and death of ten thousand men. Without some unexpected turn, he dared not make any move.

As Yelu Anbo said, prepare early—but as long as Yelu Deguang lived even one more day, what use was any amount of preparation? Yelu Ruan's head was still quite clear...

Yelu Deguang was clearly serious about it. Per his orders, the marching column was slowed, and decimation was carried out. Under the threat of death, the efficiency of the northward migration indeed improved greatly. But the price was that countless more corpses were added along the way.

Under such crushing pressure, even the Khitan soldiers themselves had complaints. In less than three days, the army advanced over a hundred li, all the way into Zhenzhou territory, stopping beside Luancheng on the banks of the Xiao River, where they made camp.

This time, Yelu Deguang's body truly could not hold out any longer, and news of his illness spread.

In the imperial camp, Yelu Deguang lay slumped against a couch, with "cold packs" placed on his head and chest to absorb heat. From time to time he had people change them, a practice that seemed to ease the scorching poison within his body.

Beside the couch, Yelu Ruan and several others stood below, reporting on the situation.

"Where is that Han army of the Liu boy now—still trailing behind?" Yelu Deguang's voice carried heat even in his words.

"According to scout reports, the enemy has entered Zhao Prefecture and halted at Zhaoqing County, their intentions unknown!" Yelu Ruan observed Yelu Deguang carefully as he replied: "Your Majesty, the other side overestimates itself, following us all the way. In my view, we should simply dispatch heavy forces south to annihilate them completely and put an end to this clinging nuisance."

The "cold pack" covered Yelu Deguang's eyes, making his expression unreadable. He seemed to think for a moment before asking: "Who do you think would be suitable to lead the troops?"

At the question, Yelu Ruan perked up at once. He lowered his head slightly, careful not to show anything unusual, and said calmly: "Your subject is willing to go."

Taking the "cold pack" down from his forehead, Yelu Deguang turned his head and sized up Yelu Ruan with his hazy eyes, blinking slowly a few times, then waved his hand: "Forget it. That Liu boy has fewer than ten thousand troops—not worth worrying about. If he takes another route and keeps such a distance from our army, he's probably afraid of our attack. We've reached Zhenzhou now; returning to Shangjing is what matters. Just ignore him!"

"Yes!" Yelu Ruan replied very calmly, unhurried and with a submissive air.

Withdrawing his gaze from Yelu Ruan, Yelu Deguang placed the "cold pack" back on his forehead to continue absorbing heat, and asked further: "What news from Kaifeng? What is the situation with the Imperial Uncle? Where has Liu Zhiyuan reached?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty!" This time it was Zhang Li who answered: "The false emperor is leading his army south and has not yet entered the Heluo region. The Imperial Uncle sent word that, to guard against the Hedong army, he has followed Your Majesty's edict and installed Li Congyi, the youngest son of Li Tang's Emperor Mingzong and Duke of Xun, as emperor, reestablishing the state of Tang. In the name of Li Tang, he is gathering troops to oppose Liu Zhiyuan."

"I fear even so, he still cannot hold back Liu Zhiyuan!" Yelu Deguang did not look very optimistic.

"Even if he cannot hold him back, it will be enough to cause Liu Zhiyuan trouble and keep him from easily seizing the Central Plains!" Zhang Li replied.

Exhaling a breath of scorching air, Yelu Deguang rubbed his somewhat dizzy head and suddenly changed the subject: "After pulling back our forces, the prefectures of Hebei must be growing ever more hostile to me day by day..."

No one dared answer, afraid of provoking Yelu Deguang's wrath. They all said a wounded tiger was the most dangerous, and the Liao emperor was in exactly that state—touch him and he would rage.

Seeing his ministers' reaction, Yelu Deguang understood. Enduring the unbearable heat and pain in his body, he let out a long sigh: "When I crossed at Liyang, I said this southern campaign had three errors. Letting the troops plunder grain and fodder, seizing the people's private wealth, and not promptly sending the military governors back to their garrisons. Now it seems I must add one more—indulging in rage and slaughtering cities..."