Chapter 60: A New Mission

The war between the Song and Jin dynasties had reached a stalemate.

Though the Jin forces still appeared before the city each day to issue their challenges, it was clear that their threats now rang hollow—mere thunder without rain.

Ten days slipped by in the blink of an eye.

Zhao Huan gazed at Yang Feiyan, standing before him, and found it hard to recognize the young woman she had become. Her skin, darkened by the relentless sun, had lost its former luster; though her beauty remained, there was now something awkward and unfamiliar about her entire being.

“I didn’t expect you to persevere through all this,” Zhao Huan said, unable to hide a note of admiration in his voice as he regarded Yang Feiyan.

“I told you,” she replied with unwavering resolve in her eyes, “for the sake of vengeance, there’s no hardship I can’t endure.”

“This isn’t good for you,” Zhao Huan shook his head. “I don’t mean that seeking vengeance is wrong—but hatred must not blind you. If revenge is all you think about, what will you do once your vendetta is fulfilled? What purpose will you have then?”

Yang Feiyan fell silent, pondering his words for a long moment. At last, she said, “But right now, the only thing I must do is avenge my family.”

Zhao Huan looked at her and declared, “I promised you: if you passed the Flying Feather Army’s trials, you could remain. I am a man of my word. I grant you command of a thirty-man Flying Feather unit. Tomorrow, you will depart for Xingqing Prefecture.”

“Your servant obeys,” Yang Feiyan answered, accepting the order.

“You’re not even curious what your mission is?” Zhao Huan could not help but be intrigued by her attitude.

“The first rule of the Flying Feather Army is absolute obedience to orders! Whatever His Majesty commands, I will carry out without question!” Yang Feiyan replied loudly.

In the past, Zhao Huan might have teased her, but seeing her now, so grave and resolute, he refrained from jest and continued, “The Jin army has surrounded us for days without launching an attack or showing signs of retreat. It troubled me, until yesterday, when the Western Xia envoy arrived at the Honglu Temple. Then I understood: the Jin are seeking an alliance with Western Xia to attack our dynasty together.”

Yang Feiyan had never attended court and heard this for the first time. But she was quick-witted and immediately realized the peril that loomed over the Song dynasty. Facing the Jin alone had left the court defenseless and reactive—if Western Xia joined the fray, the Song would be attacked from both flanks, and disaster could follow.

“Your Majesty, what would you have me do?” Yang Feiyan asked, frowning, sensing the complexity of the task ahead.

“I have learned that the Jin have already dispatched an envoy to negotiate with Emperor Chongzong of Western Xia about a joint assault on the Song. Your mission is to intercept them and sabotage their talks—prevent Western Xia from sending troops,” Zhao Huan instructed her.

This was an exceptionally difficult assignment. Yang Feiyan hesitated, lacking experience in such matters, her face betraying her uncertainty.

“What is it? Are you afraid?” Zhao Huan asked with a smile, seeing her troubled expression.

“I’m worried I’ll bungle it and ruin Your Majesty’s plans,” Yang Feiyan admitted honestly.

Zhao Huan nodded. “I appreciate your candor. But I believe in you; you are capable of fulfilling this task.”

Yang Feiyan was unsure where Zhao Huan’s confidence came from, but the weight of his trust pressed heavily on her shoulders.

“I don’t care what means you use,” Zhao Huan added, “just ensure the alliance between Western Xia and the Jin is destroyed.”

Yang Feiyan left Zhao Huan’s presence in a daze, hardly aware of how she got there. She was to go to Xingqing Prefecture and undertake a mission she had never imagined.

Meanwhile, Li Gang, Zhao Ding, and Li Guang were at the Honglu Temple, receiving the envoy from Western Xia, Li Baoji.

“Prince Xiao, the tribute we pay each year is fixed by our prior agreement,” Li Gang began. “To suddenly demand an increase is contrary to our understanding.”

“That may be,” Li Baoji replied amiably, “but times have changed. What once sufficed is no longer enough.”

Li Baoji was the cousin of Emperor Chongzong of Western Xia and bore the title Prince Xiao. Dispatched as envoy to the Song at this critical moment, his true aim was to extort a heavy price.

“And what is so different about these times?” Zhao Ding pressed.

Li Baoji smiled, “Prince Zhao, let us speak plainly. Surely you understand the peril the Song faces better than I do. The Jin eye your lands hungrily, eager to swallow you whole. If Western Xia were to send troops now, could the Song withstand the assault?”

“So Prince Xiao intends to profit from our plight?” Li Gang retorted coldly.

“I merely speak in hypotheticals,” Li Baoji replied with a disarming air. “You must know, Prime Minister Li, that Western Xia has no desire to be your enemy.”

“Hmph! If you do not wish to oppose us, why attempt to take advantage of our crisis? Is that not the conduct of a knave?” Li Gang retorted sharply.

“You misjudge me,” Li Baoji answered with a smile. “If you heard the terms the Jin have offered Western Xia to march against you, you might not think me unreasonable. To double the yearly tribute is a gesture of great mercy.”

“And what terms has the Jin offered you?” Li Guang hastened to interject, sensing the rising tension.

“The Jin have promised that, should Western Xia send troops and the Song fall, our two nations will divide your lands equally,” Li Baoji revealed.

“Ha! Does Emperor Chongzong truly believe the Jin will keep their word?” Li Guang laughed.

“Fortune favors the bold,” Li Baoji replied. “The Jin’s offer is tempting indeed. You know me, Director Li; I have always been friendly to the Song and do not wish to see you fall to the Jin. But many at court do not share my view, and there is strong support for war. His Majesty the Emperor finds himself in a difficult position.”

“Prince Xiao,” Li Guang countered, “surely you understand that when the lips are gone, the teeth feel the cold. The Jin are a power that neither the Song nor Western Xia can resist alone. Should the Song fall, and the Jin turn on you, could Western Xia stand against their armies?”

Li Guang’s words hung in the air, the gravity of the situation clear to all.