Chapter 876: The Yan Prince's True Intentions

"Your Highness, after my continuous examination and interrogation of his accomplices, I have gathered ten charges against Zhao Siwan. These are the confessions—please review them, Your Highness!" Song Qi reported to Zhao Kuangzan.

The situation was grave and urgent, requiring expedient handling, so Song Qi had judged the matter swiftly, likely having stayed up the entire night. Looking at the stack of case files in his hands, Zhao Kuangzan asked, "Has Zhao Siwan confessed to everything?"

"He confessed without reservation!" Song Qi replied.

Waving his hand, Zhao Kuangzan took the case files and glanced through them, his expression remaining fairly calm. Although Song Qi had listed ten charges against Zhao Siwan, the core was only two: first, secretly communicating with the Khitan and plotting rebellion; second, cruelty and delight in killing, treating human lives like grass. As for the other matters—corruption, assault, rape, extortion, plunder—those were all "minor problems."

Even so, after reading Song Qi's summary, Zhao Kuangzan's expression could not help but turn grave. Especially when he saw that Zhao Siwan, over these years, had privately killed people for amusement and wantonly slaughtered commoners—seventy-three in total—righteous anger surged across Zhao Kuangzan's dignified face. He slammed the table hard and said in a stern voice:

"I have long known Zhao Siwan to be fierce and vicious, yet I never expected him to be so cruel. That innocent commoners perished at his hands without my discovering and correcting it in time—that is my fault. That such a wolf has been lurking by my side for so long—the thought fills me with lingering fear!"

"When Heaven brings calamity, one may still avoid it. When a man brings calamity upon himself, there is no escape. Zhao Siwan's heart is like a snake's or scorpion's; he committed every evil and brought about his own destruction—that is what this means. Even Heaven could not save him. That he is now captured by Your Highness is Heaven using Your Highness's hand to rid the people of this scourge and punish this great villain..." Song Qi said to Zhao Kuangzan.

Hearing this, Zhao Kuangzan shook his head and corrected him: "What virtue do I possess to dare represent Heaven's will? As you say, Sir Song, Zhao Siwan merely reaped what he sowed. Moreover, I was previously too lenient and tolerant toward him—the suffering of the Yan people is also my fault!"

"That Your Highness has such a heart is truly benevolent and virtuous—you need not blame yourself excessively! That you have now investigated his conduct, arrested and tried him, and prevented him from doing further harm—this shows Your Highness's wisdom and acuity!" Song Qi cupped his hands in praise.

For a scholar-official like Song Qi, Zhao Kuangzan's virtue of taking blame upon himself and accepting responsibility was worthy of praise and aligned with their values. If every sovereign possessed such awareness, would the world not be a paradise for scholar-officials?

Raising his hand, Zhao Kuangzan resumed a serious demeanor and instructed: "At present, the border situation is changing, and war may break out as swiftly as thunder. Defending Youzhou must be our top priority. Zhao Siwan shall be held in custody for now; once the situation stabilizes, he will be dealt with according to law, to give the army and the people an accounting."

"Yes!" Song Qi acknowledged the order, then raised his head and asked for guidance: "Your Highness, among the officials of Youzhou, many were on close terms with Zhao Siwan in ordinary times, and his household also housed some men of talent. These people have all been arrested—how should they be dealt with? I await Your Highness's instruction!"

Hearing this, Zhao Kuangzan glanced at Song Qi, pondered briefly, and said, "These people shall be handed over to Song Xiong for careful examination—release the innocent, punish the guilty!"

"Yes!" Song Qi's face showed a trace of displeasure.

Song Xiong was a renowned scholar of Youyan, known together with Song Qi as the "Two Songs." He was versed in literature and history, eloquent in discourse, and possessed moral integrity, earning the esteem of the scholarly class. Currently serving as Administrative Assistant of Youzhou, he had always judged matters fairly without any bias.

Looking at Song Qi, Zhao Kuangzan continued, "Should a great war break out, the manpower, grain, money, cloth, and weapons of Youyan will all need your direction and coordination. No one is more familiar with or more capable of handling these matters than you!"

Hearing this, Song Qi finally showed a satisfied expression and bowed: "Thank you for Your Highness's trust. I will exert every effort to repay it!"

Withdrawing his gaze from Song Qi, Zhao Kuangzan sighed inwardly. The man before him was truly capable—he had served by his side for many years and accomplished much. With his talents, he could even serve as chancellor of a great state without much difficulty. It was just that he loved to seize power and form cliques, which somewhat displeased his lord. Zhao Kuangzan had already been tolerant, valuing his abilities while overlooking his minor faults.

"Your Highness, Zhao Siwan requests an audience!" Before taking his leave, Song Qi reported to Zhao Kuangzan.

"What more does he have to say to me?" Hearing this, Zhao Kuangzan could not help but sneer, but after a moment's consideration, he said, "Have him brought up to the hall!"

"Yes!"

It did not take long. Accompanied by the dragging sound of shackles, Zhao Siwan was escorted into the hall by two burly guards. The shackles were necessary, for Zhao Siwan was indeed a man of considerable strength—to prevent him from suddenly attacking.

At this moment, Zhao Siwan still wore a set of brocade robes, but the fine garments could not conceal his disheveled state. Upon seeing Zhao Kuangzan, he still performed a salute, then stood there arrogantly.

Seeing his posture, anger rose in Zhao Kuangzan's heart. He stared at him intently: "You followed my father and me for over twenty years. I remembered your years of service—have I ever treated you poorly all these years? Yet you have the heart of a wolf, betraying your lord and forgetting kindness, actually intending to lead the Liao army south to seize Youzhou and take my life!"

Facing Zhao Kuangzan's interrogation, Zhao Siwan merely smiled: "Your Highness's words are somewhat one-sided. The late king also once submitted to the Khitan, served as their minister, and governed Youyan for them. When the Khitan destroyed the Jin, the late king also led us in campaigns and won merit. That Your Highness holds your current position is also a legacy of the late king, paved from the time he began serving the Khitan.

If the late king could do it, why can't I, Zhao Siwan, do it? That Your Highness chose to be an obedient minister of the court—I have always disagreed with that. Had Your Highness heeded my advice back then, how could I have come to this!"

"Ha! What a pack of treasonous nonsense! Your wolfish ambition has reached such depths!" Hearing his wild words—especially his commentary on his late father—Zhao Kuangzan grew even more furious and sneered coldly.

No money to read novels? Send you cash or points—limited to 1 day! Follow the public account to claim for free!

Zhao Siwan was also letting loose now, raising his head and saying: "I, Zhao Siwan, followed Your Highness through life-and-death situations. On the battlefield, was there ever a time I did not lead from the front and fight desperately? When the late king died of illness, who escorted Your Highness north to assume the succession and protect the royal person? When the Khitan invaded from the south, who led the soldiers and fought them in bloody resistance? It was still I, Zhao Siwan!

Your Highness has indeed shown me kindness, but I have repaid it with my life! Even so, I had decided that after achieving success, I would spare Your Highness's life—I never intended to harm you!"

Hearing this, Zhao Kuangzan looked at him with a scrutinizing gaze and said, "So by that reasoning, I have treated you poorly, and I should thank you for your magnanimity toward me?"

Zhao Siwan was silent for a moment, then said, "It's just a pity—I plotted for so long, yet it was ruined by a lowly clerk, and I was betrayed by my own trusted men, so my plans came to naught."

"Do you think that is the only reason you failed?" Zhao Kuangzan mocked upon hearing this: "Self-righteous, blind to the bigger picture, unable to see the changing situation or the shifting sentiments of the people—to act against Heaven's will for your own selfish desires—how could you not fail!"

"Enough. Since things have come to this, further words are useless!" Zhao Siwan said in a muffled voice.

Zhao Kuangzan raised an eyebrow and sneered: "You requested an audience with me—was it just to spout this pack of wild words before me?"

Hearing this, Zhao Siwan finally restrained himself considerably. Meeting the Yan Prince's gaze, he knelt to the ground and clasped his fists: "Your Highness, I know my crimes are grave—even the execution of my entire clan would not be excessive. I have no wish to live. I have three sons; the two elder ones have enjoyed the blessings of my position and may face execution alongside me.

Only my youngest son, not yet a year old—I only hope Your Highness will spare his life and leave me a single thread of bloodline. As for me, I submit entirely to Your Highness's judgment—whatever manner of death, I have no complaints.

If there is a next life, I would still be willing to serve Your Highness!"

These words of Zhao Siwan's did come from the depths of his heart, carrying a measure of genuine feeling. This hardened, unyielding warrior ultimately still had things he cared about. Zhao Kuangzan sighed softly and said, "I would not harm a mere child!"

This was as good as agreeing to spare Zhao Siwan's bloodline. Understanding this, Zhao Siwan knocked his head to the ground: "I thank Your Highness!"

Straightening up, Zhao Siwan spoke once more with gravity: "Your Highness, please hear my final words—you must be wary of the court. The Yan army is its own faction; sooner or later it will incur the court's suspicion. Please be careful!"

Zhao Siwan had clearly burrowed entirely into his own stubborn conviction, unable to pull himself out even unto death. Zhao Kuangzan said, "On this matter, I have my own plans—no need for you to trouble yourself further!"

After Zhao Siwan was led away, Zhao Kuangzan sighed again. After all, he was a veteran general who had followed him for many years, and to end up like this—a lifetime of reputation destroyed in an instant.

In truth, how could Zhao Kuangzan not know the Yan army's predicament? Caught between Han and Liao, with the court gradually eliminating the separatist powers in the south, his position as Yan Prince and the Yan army's situation would only grow more awkward.

He had only two choices: serve Han or defect to Liao. As for playing both sides—that would be the true path to self-destruction. Zhao Siwan, with his wolfish ambition, chose to defect to Liao, but Zhao Kuangzan's heart had always leaned closer to the Great Han. After all, the ties ran deep—the second spring of his father's and his own career had blossomed under the support of the Qianyou Emperor.

As for what Zhao Siwan had always said about the Han court's suspicion—but if they defected to Liao, would the Khitan rulers truly trust them? Back then, his father Zhao Yanshou served Yelu Deguang for over a decade, governing Youyan—and what was the result? When the suspicion of a foreign race arose, the consequences were far more severe and violent. Had it not been for the great battle at Luancheng, Zhao Yanshou would have died even earlier under the Khitan's suspicion.

"Your Highness, Governor Gao has arrived!" While Zhao Kuangzan was lost in thought, a guard reported.

Snapping back to attention, Zhao Kuangzan immediately ordered him brought in, and subconsciously straightened his robes and cap. Gao Fang, Surveillance Commissioner of Lulong, was one of the "Three Heroes of Luzhou." Back when Liu Chengyou led the Longqi Army eastward, he had submitted and offered up Luzhou.

After Liu Chengyou ascended the throne, because Youzhou was volatile and the border situation unstable, when Zhao Kuangzan succeeded as Yan Prince, Gao Fang was transferred north. He had been there for nearly ten years now.

In effect, Gao Fang served as the court's representative in Youzhou. He provided considerable support for Zhao Kuangzan's consolidation of Youzhou, after all, representing the court's authority. In communications and exchanges with the court, he had expended no small effort in maintaining relations between the two sides and eliminating misunderstandings and conflicts. In Liu Chengyou's eyes, Gao Fang had rendered great service in stabilizing Youzhou, while also handling a certain amount of intelligence work.

In truth, Zhao Kuangzan was fully aware of the role Gao Fang played. He had always respected his abilities and conduct, and over the years, the two had worked together with great rapport.

"May I ask what business Your Highness has summoned me for?" Gao Fang was already fifty-four years old and had aged considerably. Upon seeing Zhao Kuangzan, he maintained proper courtesy.

"I have here a memorial to be submitted to the Eastern Capital. I would like to ask you, Sir Gao, to offer me your guidance!" Zhao Kuangzan picked up a memorial he had personally written and handed it to Gao Fang.

Gao Fang guessed in his heart that it concerned the upheaval in Youzhou and the Khitan's schemes, but after taking it and reading it, his expression tightened and turned serious. He looked at Zhao Kuangzan: "Your Highness wishes to request the court to launch a northern expedition?"

Zhao Kuangzan nodded: "The Khitan first moved troops south to attack Yanmen, then plotted to seize Youzhou. Clearly their policy has changed—there is no more peace between Han and Liao, and war could break out at any moment. Rather than passively waiting for the Liao army to attack and fighting within our borders, it would be better to gather troops and march north, seize the passes of the Yan Mountains, and drive the Khitan forces completely out of the lands south of the passes!"

Hearing this, Gao Fang thought for a long time, clearly deliberating carefully. Finally, he bowed and replied: "I am willing to add my signature alongside Your Highness!"

In truth, this memorial of Zhao Kuangzan's was also a complete declaration of his position to the court, making his true intentions known. By taking the initiative to invite the Han army to launch a great northern expedition, once the imperial forces arrived, Youyan would essentially be fully submitted to the court.

At the same time, Zhao Kuangzan had also grown somewhat weary of having the Khitan pressing down on him from above, with the constant danger of enemy troops at the gates. Nearly ten years of pent-up anger and resentment needed release.