The prince is more stable

Chapter 557 Traitor Father and Son
Among the Liao Dynasty's rulers and ministers, Xiao Wuna was probably the most sober person.

More than a year ago, when the Song army's firearms appeared, Xiao Wuna sensitively realized that the Liao Dynasty might have run out of luck.

Later, in the Song-Xia War, Zhao Xiaoqian led 5,000 light cavalry to sweep across Western Xia, and was invincible across the country. Even the capital of Western Xia was captured by Zhao Xiaoqian.

This horrifying record shocked the whole world at the time, and the performance of the Song army's firearms further confirmed Xiao Wuna's speculation.

The Song army’s firearms could kill the Western Xia as easily as cutting melons and vegetables. Would it be any different for the Liao Kingdom?
Later, Yelu Chun fought against the Song army, which once again proved Xiao Wuna's point of view.

Amidst the devastating situation, Xiao Wuna gradually became desperate about the future of the Liao Kingdom.

Facing powerful enemies, the Liao army warriors were never afraid and would bite off the enemy's flesh and blood with their teeth.

But what about facing an enemy as powerful as a god? What about facing an enemy as immovable as a mountain?

Does biting with teeth still work?
Xiao Wuna was very calm and clear-headed.

Therefore, Xiao Wuna finally agreed to become a pawn of the Song Dynasty and lurked in the Liao court from then on.

The transition from despair to betrayal was very difficult, but he finally decided to betray. Humans are animals that seek benefits and avoid harm. This is their nature and there is nothing wrong with it.

The reason why Xiao Wuna decided to betray was definitely not the trivial benefits given by Zhao Xiaoqian, or the official titles and wealth he promised.

Perhaps, he really could not see the future of the Liao Kingdom.

Since it is always dark no matter how far I go, why can't I run towards the direction where there is light?

As the night deepened, light footsteps were heard outside the general's tent.

"General Xiao, your son is back and wants to see you outside the tent." A personal guard reported.

Xiao Wuna was startled, put down the pen in his hand, a complex look in his eyes, and said in a deep voice: "Let him in."

A moment later, Xiao Guangjing, still dressed as a Hu merchant, lifted the curtain and walked in. As soon as he entered the room, he picked up the wine on the table, took a big gulp, and wiped his mouth hard.

Xiao Wuna looked at him quietly. After not seeing each other for more than a month, the reunion between father and son did not seem to be full of joy, but rather a solemn atmosphere.

"Father, I've returned from Bianjing. On the way, I heard that you were leading your army to attack the Song Dynasty. I was delayed for a few days until I found out where your army was camping. I rushed back late at night."

Xiao Wuna hummed and said, "Thank you for your hard work on the journey. How did the trip go?"

Xiao Guangjing's cheek twitched, as if recalling painful memories. He sighed and said quietly, "The result was not good. As soon as I met Zhao Xiaoqian, he hung me up and whipped me. The whip marks on my body have not disappeared yet..."

Xiao Wuna raised his eyebrows in surprise: "Why did he hang you up and whip you?"

Xiao Guangjing gritted his teeth, "He's sick! Seriously! Really, Father, I think Zhao Xiaoqian has a problem with his brain. We were chatting happily, and he was even smiling at me, a particularly cordial smile, but who knew he'd turn hostile in the blink of an eye? Before I could react, he was hanging me in the air."

"The whip was soaked in salt water, and that was a beating..." Xiao Guangjing was originally in a calm mood, but when he thought of what he had experienced in Bianliang, he suddenly felt aggrieved and couldn't help crying in front of his father.

Xiao Wuna was slightly moved, and only then did he ask with the concern of a father, "My son, are you still in pain? Do you want to call the military doctor to treat you?"

"No need, the wound has healed. I said so much just to tell you, father, that Zhao Xiaoqian is sick!"

Xiao Wuna stroked his beard calmly and said, "You still haven't told me why Zhao Xiaoqian suddenly turned hostile and hung you up to flog you."

Xiao Guangjing said with a gloomy expression, "As soon as we met, Zhao Xiaoqian seemed to have seen through my intentions. He told me clearly that his dismissal was only temporary and that the Song court would soon reinstate him and give him greater military power."

Xiao Wuna was stunned: "Did he really say that?"

Xiao Guangjing sighed, "Father, there's no need to doubt it. In fact, I left Bianjing City with the Song army under Zhao Xiaoqian."

"Song troops under Zhao Xiaoqian? What does that mean?"

"Father, the Song court has dispatched troops, and Zhao Xiaoqian has been reinstated. As expected, he has been granted greater military authority by the Song Emperor. He has mobilized 30,000 troops from Bianjing and marched north. Together with the 30,000 Dragon Guard troops stationed south of the Juma River, a total of 60,000 will fight against our 100,000 Liao troops."

Xiao Wuna was startled, gasping for air and mumbling, "He's been reinstated? And with 30,000 soldiers? Did he lead his army north just to deal with the Liao army?"

"Indeed, the Song court sent troops because I leaked intelligence to him about a 100,000-strong Liao army attacking the Song Dynasty from three directions. Zhao Xiaoqian's expression was very solemn when he heard this, and he immediately went to the palace to ask for an audience with the Song emperor. On the day he returned, Zhao Xiaoqian was reinstated and given greater military power."

Xiao Wuna glanced at him and asked, "So it was you who revealed it?"

Seeing his father's unfriendly look, Xiao Guangjing's scalp tingled, and he hurriedly said, "Father, wake up! We are traitors to the Liao Kingdom! Leaking information to the Song Kingdom is what we should do! Don't deliberately forget the deepest bond between us, traitors, and the Song Kingdom!"

Xiao Wuna's eyes suddenly regained clarity, and he sighed sadly. It seemed his current thinking and stance couldn't adapt to his new identity. It was truly frustrating. He felt like he was about to break apart...

Then look at my son, he's so adaptable, he takes to being a traitor like a duck in water, he's happy with it, he's born to do this job...

Xiao Wuna rubbed his face and sighed, "Zhao Xiaoqian is a smart man. From the moment he saw you, he probably knew that things were getting rough between us father and son. That's why he suddenly turned hostile and hung you up and beat you."

Xiao Guangjing also sighed, "Yes, Zhao Xiaoqian is indeed clever, and a little scary. He exposed my thoughts to my face, and I was terrified. After receiving more than a hundred lashes, I had no choice but to confess."

Xiao Wuna frowned: "Did he really receive more than a hundred lashes?"

Xiao Guangjing said sternly, "Father, please believe in my unyielding loyalty. I will not confess unless I am whipped a full hundred times."

Xiao Wuna's face turned cold, and he spat at him fiercely: "Who are you? Do you think I don't know? You deserve a hundred lashes? You confessed everything after one lash, there's no need for a second lash."

Xiao Guangjing was shocked: "How do you know..."

Xiao Wuna snorted coldly, "Confess then. You are a traitor anyway. I have also told you that if you are sure that Zhao Xiaoqian will be reinstated, then tell him the news that the Liao Dynasty is about to attack the Song Dynasty. This will help my father and I gain a foothold."

"Yes, I told him everything, and that's why Zhao Xiaoqian stopped harassing me. Moreover... he also said that even if he is never hired by the Song court, we father and son will still be in his hands."

"He also asked the child to tell you that it's best to cooperate honestly. This time, my father and I are restless. This is the first and last time. He won't give us another chance."

Xiao Wuna's face darkened as he sighed deeply. "I was wrong. I thought that by taking advantage of his dismissal, father and I might be able to break free and regain our freedom. But if you think about it, I really shouldn't have any other thoughts. We are all in his hands."

"Don't be sad, father. I actually think it's fine this way. At least Zhao Xiaoqian is a good boss. There's nothing shameful about working for him."

"In a few years, the Liao Kingdom will be doomed. Perhaps even its ruler and ministers will be forced to kneel before the Song Kingdom. We, father and son, have merely taken two steps ahead."

Xiao Wuna snorted coldly and turned away, not wanting to look at his son's face which was not ashamed but proud of it.

"Has Zhao Xiaoqian returned to the Juma Henan Camp?" Xiao Wuna asked.

"Yes, and they have already begun deploying troops along the march to counter the Liao Kingdom's three-pronged attack on the Song Dynasty."

Xiao Wuna said dejectedly, "With a commander, reinforcements, and intelligence ahead of the enemy, how could the Liao Kingdom possibly win this battle? It's over!"

As the commander-in-chief, Xiao Wuna was not only thinking about the failure of this war, but also whether the Liao Kingdom could afford the cost of failure.

Since Zhao Xiaoqian was stationed at the border, the Liao Kingdom has been defeated repeatedly. If it is defeated this time, then the Liao Kingdom will lose at least hundreds of thousands of Liao soldiers at the hands of Zhao Xiaoqian.

Which dynasty could afford the loss of hundreds of thousands of troops?
After this defeat, the Liao Kingdom would be severely damaged and would never recover. This battle was probably the turning point in the fate of the Liao Kingdom.

Yelu Hongji thought he had seized the opportunity, but he would never have imagined that he was actually dragging the Liao Kingdom into the abyss.

Xiao Wuna was the most sober one, and he had the most thorough understanding of the situation between the two countries. Unfortunately, such a sober person happened to be a traitor to the Liao Kingdom and a pawn of the Song Dynasty. In this situation, would he confess everything to Yelu Hongji?
Therefore, it now seems that the Liao Dynasty's national destiny is about to end, as if it has become a destiny, as if there is an invisible force that is contrary to common sense and trying to reverse the world situation, and no one can stop it.

"Forget it, let's just leave it to fate! The situation is like this, even gods can't save it." Xiao Wuna sighed.

After a pause, Xiao Wuna continued, "If nothing unexpected happens this time, I might be able to gain some credit. With Zhao Xiaoqian's intelligence, he will definitely give the credit to me."

Xiao Guangjing asked curiously, "What merit?"

Xiao Wuna sneered: "It's his credit for preserving some of his strength and hastily fleeing back to Shangjing."

“Is this what you call merit?”

"If the other two Liao armies were completely wiped out, and I was the only one who escaped with a portion of the troops, would that count as a merit?"

Xiao Guangjing thought for a moment and said, "Well, so Zhao Xiaoqian is planning to let Father off the hook?"

"If Zhao Xiaoqian wants me to rise higher and go further, he will definitely release this water. The more prominent and glorious I am in the Liao Kingdom, the more beneficial it will be for the Song Dynasty."

"Before the war even started, he had already laid out his plans for the future. To be so highly regarded by the Emperor of the Great Song, he must be quite capable."

Xiao Guangjing was a little shocked, and even a little ashamed of himself. We were all young people, but he looked at other people's children and then at himself...

After blinking for a while, Xiao Guangjing squatted down, drew circles on the ground with one finger, and said impatiently: "You big shots can fight with each other all you want, I just hope that the Liao Kingdom will be destroyed soon, so that I can go to the Song Dynasty's Bianjing openly, drink, gamble, and play with girls!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Xiao Guangjing suddenly felt a pain in his buttocks, and then he opened his eyes wide in shock. He found that his whole body was flying out from the squat toilet, like a curled up ball, and ruthlessly smashed into the door of the general's tent...

(End of this chapter)