Chapter 860: Zhao Siwan's Betrayal

The Wenyu River, rising from the foothills of the Jundu Mountains, passed through Juyong Pass and flowed ceaselessly southeastward. Its waters were clear and clean, nearly transparent to the bottom, a testament to their excellent quality. Just outside the southern mouth of Juyong Pass, at a fairly secluded stretch of riverbank, Zhao Siwan met his target—Xiao Husi, the Northern Commissioner of Military Affairs of the Great Liao, returning north from his diplomatic mission.

"Commissioner Xiao!"

"General Zhao!"

"It is I who arrived late—how rude of me. I beg General Zhao's forgiveness!" Xiao Husi looked at Zhao Siwan, a gentle smile spreading across his aged face, his tone familiar and warm.

Xiao Husi had traveled to the Eastern Capital this time bearing the title of Liao's Northern Commissioner of Military Affairs. He had formerly been Censor-in-Chief, and in the years serving the Liao Emperor Yelu Jing, he had been quite obsequious, never once disobeying, and in striking down those clansmen and nobles who had usurped power and stirred chaos, he had handled matters very much to Yelu Jing's satisfaction. For this reason, he was heavily favored and trusted.

Last winter he had passed through Youzhou on his way south to the Eastern Capital. After all, the Great Han was Liao's "brotherly state," and the Prince of Yan, Zhao Kuangzan, had shown him due regard—besides dispatching his palace steward to accompany him to the capital, he had also had Zhao Siwan personally escort him out of Yan territory. It was probably around that time that the two of them had truly made contact.

Facing Xiao Husi, Zhao Siwan was also very deferential, reining in his usual arrogance and haughtiness. He clasped his hands and said, "Commissioner Xiao has returned north from his mission, weary from the journey, and I have troubled you to venture into this wild place to meet me—that was thoughtless of me!"

Hearing this, Xiao Husi laughed heartily: "General Zhao's fame spreads far and wide, your name thunders across Youyan. We Khitan men hold you in great esteem. I had long heard you were bold and fearless, fierce and untamable—but now that I receive such thorough courtesy from the General, it seems the rumors are not to be trusted!"

"You flatter me, Commissioner Xiao! My Prince of Yan is learned and reasonable. Though I, Zhao, am a rough man, having followed His Highness for so many years, I have picked up a thing or two. Still, for such tedious formalities, I truly have little regard in daily life. But of course, Commissioner Xiao is an honored guest and friend—I naturally treat you with all due solemnity!" Zhao Siwan replied.

"General Zhao is indeed a man of true feeling, forthright and open-minded. We Khitan people love making friends with bold warriors like you!" Xiao Husi's smile grew even wider.

Gesturing toward the riverbank with a "please" motion, Zhao Siwan said, "I had originally planned to meet the Commissioner at Juyong Pass, but considering that would be too conspicuous, I abandoned the idea. Shall we simply sit on the ground and talk?"

Xiao Husi, with an air of great poise, replied, "The scenery here is lovely, the views beautiful—the General has chosen a fine spot!"

The two men, who were not particularly familiar with each other, exchanged pleasantries with great pretense, then sat down, their expressions gradually turning serious. Between the two, Xiao Husi was the more composed. Studying Zhao Siwan, he asked calmly, "For such a secret meeting, what counsel does the General have to offer? Have you come representing the Prince of Yan, or..."

"Commissioner Xiao must have some guess in his heart, so I will speak plainly—this is my own intention, Zhao Siwan's, and has nothing to do with the Prince of Yan! I have come to conspire with the Great Liao on a great matter!" Zhao Siwan's response was very direct.

Hearing this, Xiao Husi could not help but lock eyes with Zhao Siwan, and from his cold, fierce gaze, he saw something called "ambition." His curiosity growing even stronger, Xiao Husi's lips curled upward as he said, "The General's words truly surprise me! What great matter does the General refer to?"

Seeing that Xiao Husi seemed doubtful, Zhao Siwan thought for a moment, then laid out the intention he had deliberated over for so long: "I am willing to serve as an inside agent, to welcome the Great Liao's iron cavalry through the pass, to seize Youzhou, and drive straight down into Hebei!"

At these words, Xiao Husi's entire body tensed. Far from being pleased, the suspicion in his eyes only deepened. Staring at Zhao Siwan, he said in a low voice, "At present, Han and Liao coexist in harmony, bound as brothers. Is General Zhao seeking to ignite a great war in the north?"

Xiao Husi displayed an extremely cautious posture. Seeing this, Zhao Siwan said, "Commissioner Xiao's words hardly ring true! Back then, the Liao Emperor led an army of a hundred thousand, intending to march south, but then came the Huoshen Marsh Incident, which brought about the Great Liao's current sovereign. Had that incident not occurred, the great war between Han and Liao would have erupted in the fourth year of Qianyou. The peace treaty between our two nations was surely nothing more than a stopgap measure!

Now, the Great Liao's power grows ever stronger, and so does the Han court's—moreover, it is steadily eliminating the separatist forces in the south, and unification of the realm is imminent. I refuse to believe the Great Liao has no thoughts on this matter. Furthermore, over these past six months, border clashes between our two nations have been frequent—does that not also show that the Great Liao has some apprehension toward the Han court?"

Hearing this, Xiao Husi fell silent for a moment. How could Liao possibly have no thoughts on the matter? He had spent nearly five months in Han territory on this mission to the Eastern Capital. Why? Precisely to probe and investigate the Great Han's military and political situation, to spy out its strengths and weaknesses, so as to provide more useful information for adjusting Liao's policy toward Han.

"I never imagined General Zhao would have such insight!" Xiao Husi said.

Hearing this, Zhao Siwan stroked his flamboyant beard and said flatly, "That is because everyone has underestimated me, taking me for a boor! Though I am a rough man, thirty years of military life, fighting across north and south, have given me some understanding of the ways of the world and the hearts of men!"

"What does Commissioner Xiao think of my proposal?" Zhao Siwan remained just as direct, staring at Xiao Husi as he asked.

Xiao Husi maintained his cautious, measured demeanor, meeting his gaze and replying, "What the General proposes is a matter of great consequence. You should also understand that this is not something I have the authority to decide!"

"I know!" Zhao Siwan said immediately. "I only hope that after the Commissioner returns to court, you will fully convey my intentions to the Liao Emperor!"

Xiao Husi exchanged glances with Zhao Siwan for a while, finding his expression and gaze utterly candid. However, being by nature conservative and prudent, he was still unwilling to commit himself lightly. The main problem was that they were speaking deeply despite knowing each other but slightly—without sufficient exchange or trust, laying one's thoughts bare so bluntly seemed rash, hardly the mark of one who accomplishes great things.

Seeing that Xiao Husi still had doubts, Zhao Siwan furrowed his brow and said, "The Great Liao has long lost the land of Youzhou—does it have no desire to reclaim it? The humiliation of the Battle of Luancheng—do the sovereign and ministers of the Great Liao harbor no will to avenge it? In recent years, the Central Plains and Hebei have gradually recovered, growing ever more prosperous—does the Great Liao harbor no ambition?"

Listening to Zhao Siwan's seductive words, Xiao Husi's reaction was muted. Han and Liao were currently the two most powerful forces in East Asia, one in the south and one in the north; the East Asian order was built around the two nations. If a great war erupted between them, the consequences would be incalculable, and the pros and cons required deep deliberation and repeated weighing.

Xiao Husi's unmoved reaction finally wore down most of Zhao Siwan's patience. His face showing displeasure, he said, "Commissioner Xiao, I have come here at great personal risk. My will is firm, my mind is made up. It remains only to see whether the Great Liao is willing to accept me!"

Zhao Siwan glared like a tiger eyeing its prey, and Xiao Husi hurriedly soothed him: "The General need not be impatient!"

He pondered for a moment longer, then asked slowly and deliberately, "General Zhao, there is one thing I do not understand. Might you enlighten me?"

"Speak plainly!"

"The General has served two generations of the Prince of Yan, more than twenty years in total. You are now one of the foremost generals of Youzhou, commanding elite troops, your might shaking the lands north and south of the Yan Mountains, favored by the Prince of Yan. How is it that you have come to harbor thoughts of defecting to the Great Liao?" Xiao Husi asked.

Zhao Siwan said, "Is Commissioner Xiao still doubting my sincerity?"

"Merely curious!" Xiao Husi said with a light laugh, waving his hand. "Moreover, the General risks his very life—what is it you hope to gain?"

At this question, Zhao Siwan could not help but fall silent for a moment. However, a look of resolve quickly appeared on his scarred face as he said, "The Prince of Yan and his father have treated me well, but I have served at their side for twenty years, repaying them with my life in battle.

I will not hide it from the Commissioner—in these past two years, the Prince of Yan has promoted his own kin and favorites while weakening my military authority, even allowing latecomers to reach parity with me. It has chilled my heart considerably. Were it not for this, I would not risk danger to ally with the Great Liao and seek another path!

Moreover, the Prince of Yan is refined and cultured, deferential to the Han court—but I do not share his view. Judging from the Han court's policies toward the regions in recent years—restructuring and reclaiming power—it is only a matter of time before they set their sights on Youyan. If I do not seek change, a military man like me will sooner or later fall victim to their schemes!"

As he spoke, he looked up at Xiao Husi, and seeing that he was listening attentively, Zhao Siwan continued: "As for what I seek—merely power, position, fame, and profit. In the old days, the Great Liao treated the late Prince of Yan generously. If I can help reclaim Youzhou and Hebei, or even destroy the Han court, I trust they will not treat me shabbily either!"

Zhao Siwan's meaning was clear: he wanted the treatment the Khitan had once given Zhao Yanshou. In truth, betraying the court and selling out the Great Han was, in Zhao Siwan's view, no great matter, nor would it cause him any psychological burden. In his early years, he had followed Zhao Yanshou in defecting to the Khitan, fighting for them, risking his life in the campaigns against the Later Jin, and killing many Jin men.

"I am deeply grateful for the General's candor! I have understood your intentions, and upon returning to my country, I will surely report everything to my sovereign!" Xiao Husi rose, clasped his hands to Zhao Siwan, and replied solemnly: "This matter is of great importance—I ask that you be patient for now and not act rashly!"

"I understand! Then I thank Commissioner Xiao!" Zhao Siwan finally showed a hint of a smile.

Glancing at him a couple of times, Xiao Husi could not help but add, "The General and I share but a shallow acquaintance, yet you speak so plainly and reveal such great matters—are you not afraid I might betray you?"

Zhao Siwan's boldness was plain to see as he said, "That is simply how I am! Once I have made up my mind, I do not hesitate! If I kept testing and probing for contact, it would only breed complications—better to speak frankly with Commissioner Xiao.

Besides, I am willing to gamble! If fortune does not favor me, even if I die, I can blame no one but myself!"

Hearing this, Xiao Husi laughed heartily and praised him: "The General is a true hero!"

"I am no hero!" Zhao Siwan said. "Merely a common man of Youzhou!"

"Meeting the General has been most enjoyable! What we discussed today is of grave consequence—we must be careful to keep it secret!" Before parting, Xiao Husi swept his gaze over the personal guards who had accompanied Zhao Siwan, reminding him.

Hearing this, Zhao Siwan said with confidence, "Commissioner Xiao need not worry—these men crawled out of piles of corpses with me; our lives are entrusted to one another. There will absolutely be no problem! As for the Commissioner's side..."

Noticing Zhao Siwan's gaze fall upon his own attendants, Xiao Husi likewise replied, "The General need not worry! These are all raised by my own clan—their loyalty is absolute!"

"Farewell!"

"Farewell!"