Chapter 1799

At that moment, a burst of fragrant wind wafted past his nose. A beautiful, captivating young girl carrying a tray walked over. She was tall and slender, with a fair and delicate face. She glided gracefully to the table and called out softly, "Your Majesty! It is time for lunch."

The young girl's voice was very pleasant, melodious and lingering, like the song of a oriole.

"Hmm. Place it aside," Liu Yu said indifferently. Although the young girl before him was beautiful, Liu Yu felt no interest whatsoever.

"Yes!" The young girl respectfully placed the food and dishes on the low table nearby.

Just as the young girl was about to withdraw, Yelu Kang called out to her and said, "My beloved concubine, why is your mother not seen at this banquet?"

The young girl's slender body trembled. She then lowered her head and said, "Mother is unwell and is not fit to attend such a banquet! This humble concubine apologizes to Your Majesty and the Empress on her behalf!"

"It is of no consequence!" Yelu Kang said, "Since your mother is ill, I shall not stay the night tonight. I will visit Lady Bo another day."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" The young girl was overwhelmed with gratitude.

"Royal brother, do you truly intend to take a concubine?" Liu Yu asked coldly.

"Royal brother, this is a family matter; I need not tell you. You need only remember that I am your elder brother, and you are my younger brother," Yelu Kang said with deep gravity, "The spirit of our father the Khan in heaven surely wishes for us two brothers to unite."

Liu Yu stood up and said coldly, "In that case, this younger brother will take his leave!"

Liu Yu walked directly toward the door and then strode out of the banquet hall in long steps.

"Sigh, such is a brother," Yelu Kang sighed with deep emotion.

On the other side, after Liu Yu returned to the palace where he resided, he immediately summoned Li Gui.

Li Gui hurriedly walked to Liu Yu's front, knelt down, and said, "My Lord, what does the humble one need for your summons?"

Liu Yu stared at Li Gui and asked, "I ordered you to gather intelligence on your country. How have you collected it?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, sufficient intelligence has been gathered," Li Gui said.

"Then bring it to me to see immediately!" Liu Yu urged.

"Yes!" Li Gui immediately took a stack of secret letters from his bosom and respectfully handed them to Liu Yu.

Liu Yu carefully flipped through a few pages, and his expression grew increasingly gloomy.

"Damn it! How dare they insult my mother the Empress like this! It is simply rebellion against heaven!" Liu Yu angrily tore the secret letter into fragments and threw it into the trash can.

"My Lord, please calm your anger. This matter must be investigated as soon as possible! Otherwise, the consequences will be endless!" Li Gui suggested.

"Then how do you say we should proceed?" Liu Yu inquired.

"According to the humble one's view, My Lord should mobilize troops and dispatch generals to the Great Liao State to quell the internal chaos," Li Gui said.

"And what about you?" Liu Yu continued to ask.

"My Lord, the humble one believes the humble one is not suitable to stay within the Great Liao State. The humble one believes we can lead the soldiers under our command to the northern border of Liao to assist the Great Liao State in defeating the Hu people such as the Wuhuan and the Xianbei. This would not only eliminate these pests but also pressure the Great Liao State Emperor Yelu Kang, forcing him to submit as a vassal to the Great Han."

"Excellent! This is indeed a good strategy that kills two birds with one stone!" Liu Yu praised, "However, I still need a capable person to go within the Great Liao State to secretly investigate the situation inside the Guonei Force and the movements of the Great Liao State Emperor Yelu Kang. This person must be intelligent, witty, and utterly loyal! Li Gui, who do you think is suitable to send?"

"This subordinate believes we can send Mr. Zhang to the Great Liao State," Li Gui said.

"Hmm, your view coincides with mine! Then, let Mr. Zhang go to the Great Liao State immediately!" Liu Yu said.

"I obey!" Li Gui said respectfully.

Several days later, Mr. Zhang arrived before Liu Yu. He knelt and kowtowed, saying, "Your subject kowtows to see Your Majesty! Your Majesty, ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand ten thousand years!"

"Mr. Zhang, please rise!" Liu Yu personally helped Mr. Zhang up, then asked, "Mr. Zhang, the road to the Great Liao State is long and fraught with danger. Do you know the hardships involved?"

"Your subject knows!" Mr. Zhang nodded and said, "Your subject will certainly do his utmost to investigate the situation inside the Great Liao State and the movements of the Great Liao State Emperor Yelu Kang, and transmit the intelligence back to the court in a timely manner."

"Excellent! With Mr. Zhang's words, I am reassured!" Liu Yu sighed with emotion.

"Your Majesty, is there anything you need me to do for Your Majesty?" Mr. Zhang asked.

"You only need to bring these things," Liu Yu took out a stack of silver notes and a sealed letter and handed them to Mr. Zhang. He then took an object from his bosom and hung it around Mr. Zhang's neck, saying, "This is a dragon-shaped jade pendant. You must keep it safe and secure; do not lose it! It will be of help to you when you go to the Great Liao State."

"A dragon-shaped jade pendant? Could this be the legendary Dragon Pendant?" Mr. Zhang thought in shock. Legend has it that the Dragon Pendant was a gift given by the Hegemon-King of Western Chu, Xiang Yu, to his second father, Fan Zeng. It possessed magical energy and could protect the wearer with safety, good fortune, and the fulfillment of wishes. Later, after the establishment of the Great Han, the Dragon Pendant was confiscated into the imperial palace and became a royal secret treasure. Still later, the Dragon Pendant mysteriously disappeared. He never expected the dragon-shaped jade pendant to appear in the hands of the Great Liao State Emperor Yelu Kang, and that he would bestow the dragon-shaped jade pendant upon Mr. Zhang.

"Your Majesty, this dragon-shaped jade pendant..." Mr. Zhang knelt and said.

"Mr. Zhang, please rise! No need for excessive courtesy!" After pulling Mr. Zhang up, Liu Yu continued, "This dragon-shaped jade pendant has been missing for many years. I was fortunate enough to obtain it. However, this dragon-shaped jade pendant is far less important than Mr. Zhang's safety! Mr. Zhang must protect it well; do not lose it! Remember! Remember!"

"I obey! Your Majesty!" Mr. Zhang said with deep emotion. At this moment, his heart was so excited he could find no words. He already sensed that this journey to the Great Liao State would be an extraordinary experience. "Your Majesty, the task you have entrusted, I will do my utmost to complete." Mr. Zhang took a deep breath and said solemnly, "Then, I shall depart."

Liu Yu nodded. Looking at Mr. Zhang's departing back, his gaze was filled with expectations and trust.

Several months later, Mr. Zhang had arrived within the borders of the Great Liao State. While secretly investigating various situations, he wrote the intelligence into secret letters and transmitted them back to the Great Han through secret channels.

During this period, he encountered many difficulties and challenges. The situation inside the Great Liao State was more complex than he had anticipated, with fierce struggles among various forces. And the external forces such as the Wuhuan and the Xianbei were not easy opponents. But relying on his intelligence and wit, Mr. Zhang successfully maneuvered between these forces and obtained much precious intelligence.

At the same time, Yelu Kang was not idle either. He knew Liu Yu was spying on him, but he did not know Liu Yu had already dispatched secret agents. To consolidate his position and win over more forces, he was also conducting various open and covert struggles.

One day, Mr. Zhang obtained important intelligence in a small town in northern Liao: Yelu Kang had reached a secret agreement with the Wuhuan people to attack the Great Han together. Mr. Zhang was greatly shocked; the importance of this intelligence was self-evident. He immediately decided to return to the Great Han to convey the intelligence to Liu Yu.

On the way back to the Great Han, Mr. Zhang was pursued by the Wuhuan people. He was alone, and the situation was extremely critical. But relying on his extraordinary wisdom and courage, he successfully escaped disaster.

After returning to the Great Han, Mr. Zhang conveyed the intelligence he had obtained to Liu Yu immediately. Upon hearing this news, Liu Yu first froze, then flew into a rage. He immediately decided to take action to stop Yelu Kang's conspiracy.

A storm was about to come...