Chapter 101: Ulterior Motives

Yang Gun gave an "oh" and asked, "The Emperor Taizu of Liao united the grasslands, why can't he be considered a hero?"

"The Khitans pillaged and plundered the Central Plains, leaving countless families shattered and destroyed. How could such people be considered heroes?" Yang Lian sneered, showing no intention of currying favor with Yang Gun despite the latter serving the Khitans.

Yang Gun could not help but be stunned, feeling even more puzzled by Yang Lian. At least judging from the situation over the past two days, Yang Lian seemed to hold a favorable impression of the Khitans, yet his evaluation of the Emperor Taizu of Liao was unexpectedly low, catching Yang Gun off guard.

"The Emperor Taizong of Liao seized Youyun and perfected the dual administration system for the north and the south. Can he be considered a hero?" Yang Gun asked again, his eyes carrying deep meaning.

Upon hearing this, Yang Lian slammed his palm onto the table, startling everyone nearby. He let out a cold snort and said, "Jun'ai, although you are deeply entangled with the Khitans, I assumed you still retained the heart of a Han person. How could you degrade yourself so much just to please them? If you are content to be a running dog of the Khitans, then suit yourself. From this moment on, we have nothing more to say."

Yang Gun's face flushed crimson. He was utterly bewildered by Yang Lian's behavior. While seeming to accommodate the Khitans, why did he hold the two founding emperors of Liao in such utter contempt?

"Though I do not care for the Khitans, you are, after all, envoys. My hospitality towards you does not mean I will make concessions to the Khitans. I might as well tell you, I am also currently negotiating with Liu Xin of the Han State, and the talks are nearing completion. Once the Great Tang and the Han State form an alliance, the Khitans will no longer be taken into consideration," Yang Lian said calmly, with an expression of absolute certainty.

Yang Gun's expression flickered with uncertainty. At present, the Khitans were plagued by internal turmoil due to the succession to the throne. Yelü Ruan had been proclaimed emperor by the generals of the southern expedition in Zhenzhou, while Yelü Lihu, supported by Empress Dowager Shilu, was also eyeing the throne with covetous eyes. A few days ago, the two sides met at Taidequan, where Yelü Lihu suffered a disastrous defeat. Yelü Ruan pressed his advantage, stationing troops at Huanghe, and a massive battle could erupt at any moment. It was against this backdrop that Yang Gun had accompanied Yelü Haili to the Great Tang, hoping that the Great Tang would act as a counterweight against the Han State.

At this moment, Yang Gun was unaware that, thanks to the mediation of Yelü Wuzhi, the two armies were already inclined towards peace talks. This lack of up-to-date intelligence gave Yang Lian an opportunity to exploit. Yang Gun's expression shifted as he said, "If General Yang acts this way, aren't you afraid that this peace negotiation will fail, causing you to lose the opportunity to attack the Han State?"

"As for the Han State, this general will lead troops to march against it sooner or later. However, I am even more reluctant to cooperate with the Khitans. The grave crime of inviting foreign tribes to rule the Central Plains is something I cannot shoulder. In the future history books, this general has no wish to become a second Shi Jingtang!" Yang Lian clearly stated his stance.

"But..." Yang Gun began.

"But what? But why would I negotiate peace with the Khitans? I might as well tell you, peaceful coexistence between my Great Tang and the Khitans is utterly impossible. In the future, when the Great Tang recovers the Central Plains and reclaims the Sixteen Prefectures of Youyun, or when the Khitans march south, that will be the moment our two nations resort to arms! However, before that day arrives, what this general can promise is to join hands with the Khitans to resist the Han State. If the imperial court of the Central Plains attacks the Sixteen Prefectures of Youyun, the Great Tang will station troops along the border to draw the attention of the Han State; or when the Khitans march south, the Great Tang will also dispatch troops to assist," Yang Lian said indifferently.

Lin Jinzhao raised an eyebrow. How did Yang Lian's words carry such a meaning? Yet, out of trust in Yang Lian, he remained silent, drinking his wine quietly instead.

Yang Gun pondered the proposal. This deal was not a bad one for the Khitans, but what benefit did it bring to the Great Tang? Yang Gun asked, "Then what conditions does the Great Tang demand?"

"The demands are not excessive. Each year, the Great Tang will provide a sum of money to purchase Khitian warhorses at market value—two thousand horses a year! Remember, I want the finest warhorses," Yang Lian said.

Hesitant, Yang Gun recalled that Yelü Haili had sent him precisely because of his Central Plains background to test the waters. He had not expected Yang Lian to be so uncompromising. Torn with indecision, he could only cup his fists and say, "I will surely report this matter back to the chief envoy."

Yang Lian nodded to indicate his understanding, his face returning to a smile as he resumed eating and drinking with the two men.

Yang Gun felt even more perplexed. What on earth was this Yang Lian trying to achieve? Once the meal was finished, Yang Gun stood up and took his leave.

Lin Jinzhao lowered his voice and asked, "Commander Yang, what was the meaning of today's remarks?"

"The imperial court of the Central Plains has always been arrogant. The Khitans thought that coming here for peace talks was an act of charity towards the Great Tang. But this general deliberately wants to let Yelü Haili know that the Great Tang does not pin its hopes on them; when it comes to an alliance, both sides stand as equals." At this, Yang Lian sighed inwardly. If the two nations were not located so far apart, and if the national strength of the Great Tang were not relatively weaker compared to the Khitans and the Han State, how could Yang Lian have allowed himself to be placed at such a disadvantage?

Still somewhat hesitant, Lin Jinzhao asked, "Commander Yang, if the Khitans dispatch troops, will the Great Tang truly send troops to reinforce them?"

Yang Lian smiled and said, "This matter is of great significance and must inevitably gain the Emperor's approval. However, seizing that opportunity to recover the Central Plains is not entirely out of the question." With those words, he walked out of the tavern.

Yelü Haili was around thirty years old, and his father, Mada, was a nephew of Yelü Deguang. Mada primarily controlled the Sixteen Prefectures of Youyun. Therefore, the Khitian internal turmoil had a massive impact on him. During the fierce war between Yelü Ruan and Yelü Lihu, Mada had no choice but to rely entirely on himself. Thus, at the very first instance, Mada thought of the Great Tang situated to the south of the Han State, hoping to alleviate his pressure through an alliance.

At first, Yang Lian had been extremely warm upon his arrival, treating him to fine food and wine and holding several discussions with him, yet without ever delving deeply into the core issues or revealing his bottom line. Because Yang Gun was a Han Chinese, Yelü Haili had thought of him immediately, hoping to use him to probe for clues to guide his next steps.

However, when Yang Gun brought back Yang Lian's latest message and outlined his conditions, Yelü Haili drew a sharp breath. This Yang Lian had an insatiable appetite. Although the Khitans were a nomadic people of the grasslands and never lacked horses, ordinary horses and warhorses were fundamentally different. Two thousand warhorses a year was by no means a small quantity. Even if the Great Tang could afford the cost of the warhorses, the Khitans could not possibly supply them in such numbers. Once the Great Tang possessed a sufficient quantity of warhorses, should a struggle for supremacy erupt with the Khitans in the future, the Great Tang would become a formidable enemy.

Yelü Haili was somewhat reluctant, but he also knew that negotiations could not proceed by simply giving Yang Lian whatever he demanded. Since the Great Tang had clearly stated what it wanted, Yelü Haili knew how to proceed next.

Inside the State Guest House, Liu Xin's old face was burning red. He could not believe that Yang Lian would pull such a stunt. As the dignified Prince Cai of the Great Han, standing virtually above all others save one, he had given them sufficient face simply by condescending to visit the small Tang Dynasty. Yet he never imagined Yang Lian would act with such absolute ruthlessness.

By now, Liu Xin had grasped the true intentions of the Great Tang. Furthermore, he knew very well that a mere fifth-rank official like Yang Lian had no qualification to make such decisions on his own. The fact that he had done so proved this was not merely his personal idea, but rather the will of Emperor Li Jing of the Great Tang.

Liu Xin felt a sudden jolt in his chest. Could the Great Tang harbor such deep hostility toward the Han State? Although the Great Tang and the dynasties of the Central Plains had always been at odds, the Han State had only recently been established and had no direct conflicts with the Great Tang. Why was Li Jing so hostile? Why was he even colluding with the Khitans?

Liu Xin paced back and forth in the room out of habit, a profound sense of crisis washing over him. If he failed his mission and the Great Tang formed an alliance with the Khitans, the Great Han would be in grave danger. Especially at a time when internal troubles had not yet been quelled, external threats joining forces would make the situation for the Han State infinitely worse.

Looking at Prince Cai, Zhao Kuangyin suddenly spoke up, "Prince Cai, your subordinate has something to say, though I am unsure if I should voice it."

Liu Xin nodded. Even if he chose to spare no regard for Zhao Kuangyin, he still had to respect Zhao Hongyin, so he said, "General Zhao, please speak your mind freely."

Zhao Kuangyin glanced at his father, and seeing him nod, he gave a dry cough and said, "Prince Cai, the current situation is abundantly clear: the Great Tang and the Khitans have colluded. In this subordinate's view, we must never allow them to unite."

Liu Xin nodded; these words struck straight to the core of his worries.

"The Khitian envoys have just arrived in Jinling. Even if the talks are progressing rapidly, they surely have not yet reached a final conclusion with Yang Lian and the others. If we launch a surprise attack to assassinate the Khitian envoys at this juncture, it will undoubtedly disrupt the relationship between the Great Tang and the Khitans. Even if we cannot turn them into mortal enemies, at the very least, the alliance will be thwarted!" Zhao Kuangyin laid out his plan.

Liu Xin narrowed his eyes. This method seemed to have a certain degree of feasibility. However, although the Khitans had traveled from afar, they would certainly be accompanied by a considerable number of guards, and the Great Tang would undoubtedly dispatch guards to protect them as well. Launching a surprise attack would by no means be an easy task.

Zhao Hongyin's expression shifted slightly, and he said, "Yuanlang, do not talk nonsense!"

Liu Xin waved a hand to stop Zhao Hongyin. Although the task would be difficult, it was at least a viable plan, especially since he knew Zhao Kuangyin possessed formidable martial arts skills; perhaps he could actually pull it off.

"General Zhao, how confident are you?" Liu Xin asked.

Zhao Kuangyin shook his head and replied, "This subordinate dares not speak of certainty. But before taking action, we must first find out where the Khitans are staying, how many people there are, and how many guards Yang Lian has assigned to protect them. Only by gathering more intelligence can our chances of success increase."

"Good, very good!" A hint of a smile surfaced on Liu Xin's face as he praised, "Truly a hero emerges from the youth! General Zhao, the task of assassinating the Khitian envoys is left to you and your father. Handle this matter with the utmost care, and ensure there is not a single flaw."

Zhao Kuangyin cupped his fists and said in a ringing voice, "Please rest assured, Prince Cai, I—"

Zhao Hongyin hastily interrupted Zhao Kuangyin's words, saying, "Prince Cai, this matter is of the utmost secrecy. This subordinate must find the right opportunity before making a move; otherwise, if we fail and startle the enemy, any future assassination attempts will be exceedingly difficult."

"That goes without saying!" Liu Xin laughed. He knew that the father-son pair of the Zhao family possessed exceptional martial arts skills and might actually pull this off. If the Khitian envoys were truly assassinated, turning the Great Tang and the Khitans against each other, the situation of the Great Han would improve vastly. Coupled with the Wu-Yue people assisting from the sidelines, subduing the internal regional warlords would become a much simpler task for the Great Han.

Zhao Hongyin cupped his fists in farewell, and Zhao Kuangyin followed him out. Overjoyed, Liu Xin sat down before his desk, poured himself a cup of wine, and sipped it slowly.

Once outside, Zhao Hongyin looked at his second son and could not help letting out a sigh, asking, "Yuanlang, why did you do that?"

"Father, since we have traveled from afar, naturally we must achieve our goal. Otherwise, wouldn't this trip have been in vain?" Zhao Kuangyin asked, looking puzzled.

Zhao Hongyin's lips moved as if he wanted to say something, but ultimately he gave up. How could he possibly reveal the secrets in his heart to his son at a time like this?