It has to be said that Su Yi did indeed hesitate for a long time over the decision. He instinctively wanted to go along and have a listen; after all, he had been a general and had spent quite a few years of his life engaged in strife on battlefields. Moreover, this matter would also affect the lives of the common people living along the border. But at this time, he was no longer a general and if he were to accompany Wanyan Xu other people might disapprove, although Su Yi did not mind going. Therefore, he vacillated.
Wanyan Xu could guess at his thoughts, and giving a slight smile, he said: “Zi Nong and Zi Yan, both of you help Su Su along, he shall come with me [1].” So saying, he headed off and the two people at his back quickly took to busying themselves with helping Su Yi.
It turned out that a small neighbouring country --- the country of Xiao Ling --- that was on Jin Liao"s western border, having seen that the livelihood of the people living in Jin Liao had become more prosperous because of Wanyan Xu"s policy of lowering taxation, had surrept.i.tiously hatched a wicked idea. They had mounted a sneak attack with their army, intending to capture a few cities and engage in a spree of looting. But they had not antic.i.p.ated that what when it came to managing his empire, what Wanyan Xu placed most importance on was national defence. Although there were not very many soldiers guarding the border, they were no longer useless troops like the shrimp soldiers and crab generals [2] of the Great Qi and so the attackers had failed to capture any city. The ruler of that small neighbouring country was a reckless warlord. When he saw that his attack had failed, his anger was roused and relying on the fact that the people of his country were in large part valiant and well-versed in martial arts, he decided that he might as well openly declare war on Jin Liao. Therefore, the general in charge of defending the border had sent his deputy with all haste to the capital to request for reinforcements.
Wanyan Xu gave a “humph” and said: “That barbaric small country, to think that it actually dares to challenge the military might of my Celestial Empire.” So saying, he gave a low "hmm" as he pondered. In discussion with Su Yi, he said: “In your opinion, what should we do about this? Although I already have a stratagem in mind, I still want to hear your recommendations first.” His tone of voice was wholly serious and grave, leaving no doubt that he was not treating Su Yi at all like a member of the Inner Court, but that he was engaging in an important discussion with a trusted confidant.
Su Yi knew of his intentions, and his heart was moved. Wanyan Xu trusted him so much and was always looking out for his best interests; if he were to continue shirking the discussion because of some trivial considerations, then he really would be undeserving of the deep respect and affection that Wanyan Xu bore for him. Therefore he also replied soberly: “Although the neighbouring country is small, but because it is composed of a race of nomads, her people prize martial prowess and spend much time practicing martial arts. Therefore their military strength must not be underestimated. During the time I was stationed along the border, I already heard of them sending raids to hara.s.s the common people but because I had to guard against your forces, I did not dare to send any of my troops there to provide a.s.sistance. But because they also knew that my command was very close to that area, they did not dare to launch a ma.s.sive attack that would be sure to meet with reprisal. Therefore the situation dragged on like that. Now, they have dispatched their army without due consideration, although it is not an ideal situation for them, we still must not make the mistake of being complacent. A capable high-ranking military official should be sent to carry out a direct attack, if we cannot annihilate them in a single spurt of energy, I"m afraid that the people of Xiao Ling, who are so fond of violence and plunder, would become a great thorn in our side in future.”
After he had finished, he saw Wanyan Xu nod and say: “I also see things this way.” At that, Su Yi could not help but to sigh and say: “It’s just that you... Alas, Yu Cang has already committed suicide in penance, so who should be given this task?”
Wanyan Xu gave a hearty laugh and said: “Su Su, you look down upon me too much. Don"t tell me that you think that other than Yu Cang, Jin Liao has no other military leader that is capable of directing a glorious battle? Don"t forget, our Jin Liao is also an ethnic group that grows up on the back of horses [3].” So saying, he stood up and paced around for a few laps. Suddenly, he turned around, hugged Su Yi and said: “Let"s go and have a rest. I already have a good candidate in mind and I will nominate him in front of the court tomorrow.”
Su Yi was going to object, saying that at such a time, Su Yi could not possible rest but Wanyan Xu was grinning happily as if the whole thing had not happened. Picking Su Yi up into his arms, he carried him back to the Garden of Merriment. By this time, the sky was already beginning to show traces of first light and along the small paths of the palace, numerous palace maids and eunuchs were already bustling about, busy with their ch.o.r.es. Being seen by them in such a position caused Su Yi to feel deep shame, but there was not even a hole in the ground where he could hide in.
By the time they got back to the Garden of Merriment, he had actually forgotten all about the pain in his leg but resentment was seething in his chest so that he did not care to be mindful of their status or be wary of accusations of meddling in internal affairs anymore. With an ill-tempered look on his face, he first gave Wanyan Xu a round of scolding, hanging metaphorical hats upon him branded with accusations such as "not attending to one"s proper duties, negligently underestimating the enemy". Although Wanyan Xu felt unjustly accused, he knew that the pain in Su Yi"s leg had not yet disappeared and thus, he did not dare to defend himself and put up with the abuse while feeling aggrieved. In his heart he thought that as long as he could make Su Yi could forget the pain in his leg, anything would be worth it even if he had to kneel on a washing board.
And so, for the next few days, Wanyan Xia came by to give Su Yi medication every day. Perhaps it was because he was getting insensitive to the pain, but for some reason it actually seemed to be getting lighter. On the tenth day, after Wanyan Xia had examined him, an easy-going smile blossomed on his face for the first time. Standing up, he said to Su Yi: “From what I can see, there is no great problem left in your legs. From today onwards, you should begin to practice walking. In another few days, you will be just like before, when you were the storied general who had achieved hundreds of victories and dominated the battlefield.”
Su Yi gave a bitter laugh and said: “You must be joking, haven’t you heard of the saying ‘"walking through the gates of a n.o.ble house is like sinking into the ocean’? Not to mention, this is an Imperial house? The days of directing troops on the battlefield, moving around the world unhindered, are behind me. I do not dare to hope for them anymore.”
Wanyan Xia saw that he was feeling sad. Feeling regretful himself, he quickly moved to change the subject, saying: “To tell you the truth, I did not actually believe that you could have endured that kind of pain. Oh yes, a few days ago I heard that fighting had broken out along the border, what is the situation on the battlefield now?”
Su Yi shook his head and said: “I am baffled about this matter too. Wanyan Xu seems to have a well thought-out strategy but there are no reports of victory. Every time I would ask him about it, he would come up with an irrelevant reply. If I get serious, he would say that they"re still fighting, they"re still fighting. Aii, I really do not know what he"s thinking. If I keep pursuing the matter, people would say that I am meddling in the running of the state. But if I don’t ask, I also can’t bear...”
Before he could finish, Wanyan Xia could not help but to laugh and say: “Your heart has always been connected to the realm, naturally you would be concerned. There"s no need to think too much about things like interference in the running of the state. The Emperor"s family affairs are also the affairs of the nation. Besides, my Imperial Elder Brother also does not take you to be just a member of the Inner Court, I think that he feels very respectful of you.”
As the two of them were speaking, Wanyan Xu had walked into the room. Wanyan Xia knew that his Imperial Elder brother could not wait for him to leave, and he quickly stood up. Taking his leave, he said: “I"m leaving first, I still have things to attend to. You must remember to practice walking but do not tire yourself out. Practicing in moderation would be better.” So saying, he drifted off, leaving behind Wanyan Xu who immediately went over and embraced Su Yi. However, as to where Wanyan Xu"s mind had flown off to, Su Yi could not tell. He was wearing a look of deep contemplation on his face, which caused Su Yi to feel increasingly puzzled.