War Prisoner

Chapter 22 - 23

Su Yi was already in a bad mood, upon hearing Wanyan Xu's words he grew angrier, saying in a loud voice: "Which of your eyes saw us getting along well? Thanks to you, the two of us are mortal enemies. If you don't get along well that is only to be expected, why should you worry over it?"

Wanyan Xu chortled, but did not answer Su Yi, guessing that his all-too-guileless sweetheart must have been at a disadvantage when conversing with the devious Wanyan Shuo and had suffered a loss in the war of words. Patting his son on the head, as he expected, the boy rolled his eyes and said: "Imperial Father [1], I am still considering whether I will come to like him or not, but at least so far, I don't seem to detest him very much. He he, you are really resourceful, even this captive who prefers death over surrender is now considering the good of our Jin Liao." After saying that, he proceeded to tell Wanyan Xu of all that had just happened. Although this only increased Su Yi's ire, he was totally stumped and could only stay rooted at his spot, not knowing whether he should explain his words or not.

After Wanyan Shuo had finished his meal, he addressed Su Yi with a gleeful smile: "my Imperial Father has just made an earth-shattering announcement, his is probably still feeling tense, you should take good care of him. I have always been a discreet person, I won't stay here and get in the way." Turning to Wanyan Xu, he said: "Imperial Father, I have seldom been this reasonable. When the time comes to move the capital, you have to remember to bring all the things I have specified on the list with us." Having said that, he gave a belch and swaggered out of the room.

Wanyan Xu could not help but laugh aloud, but Su Yi only looked coldly at him and said with disdain: "Like father like son indeed, your son is as irritating as you are."

Wanyan Xu replied with a smile: "You only say that because you are still angry that he got the better of you during your conversation. Do you really not think that Shuo Er is exceptionally intelligent and witty? Ever since his birth, he has been faced with adversity, he even lost his mother. But he has never caused me [2] excessive worry, when he ascends the throne in future, he will certainly be an outstanding monarch."

Su Yi did not speak, in his heart of hearts, he knew that what Wanyan Xu said was right. Although they were sworn enemies, Su Yi also could not help but be a little bit moved by the warm and familiar relationship between this father and son pair. It was especially remarkable considering that they were royalty.

Su Yi was lost in his musings when Wanyan Xu seated himself beside him. After instructing the palace maids to lay out another meal, he hugged Su Yi and said: "An auspicious date has been decided on for the movement of the capital, before long, you will return to your homeland. If you behave well, I can even let you meet up with your old friends. Su Su, are you happy?"

Su Yi gave a "humph" before saying: "I think I will be happier if you will allow me to meet up with my old friends even if I don't behave well." He heaved a sigh and looked out of the window, after staring blankly for a while, he said: "Mountains and rivers are eventually smashed to pieces and carried by the wind, one's lot is to float just like the duckweed quivers when the rain hits [3]. Wanyan Xu even if you allow me to meet my old friends, what does it change? The Great Qi is no longer the Great Qi. Even if we were to meet, the circumstances and people have changed; the reminder will only be cause for more sorrow."

Wanyan Xu didn't reply, his only response was to embrace the person in his bosom even more tightly. Thinking of how he intended to resume pressuring Sui Yi once they had reached the former territories of the Great Qi, Wanyan Xu felt, more than ever, that he was being unfair to this man, who was already covered with the scars of his many tribulations. Fortunately, before he could ruminate further, their meal was served. After Su Yi and he had seated themselves at the table, Wanyan Xu forced a smile and said: "Alright, don't think so much. After I have moved the capital, I will release those prisoners of war and let them return home and be reunited with their families. They will each be awarded a plot of fertile farmland; no longer will they have to face the flames of battle, they can enjoy being surrounded by their family for the rest of their days. Wouldn't that be good?"

Su Yi was silent, after giving Wanyan Xu a few assessing glances, he huffed: "If that comes to pass, it would naturally be good. I shall be grateful to you on their behalf. But I wonder, what would be the price I have to pay for that?"　

Unexpectedly, on hearing these words, Wanyan Xu began to stare at Su Yi in silent contemplation. Su Yi grew anxious under the scrutiny, worried that Wanyan Xu was devising some nefarious plan again. Thinking back, ever since his captivity, he had been through many trials. He had no fear of floggings and cruel punishment; what he feared were Wanyan Xu's improper, illogical and shameless desires, his declarations of affection which Su Yi was still uncertain were true or false and his practice of using Su Yi's countrymen as leverage to threaten Su Yi at the slightest provocation. He could not withstand even a single one of these three things. Su Yi was really afraid, he had already been so tormented that he was mentally and physically exhausted, he doubted if he could contend with any more of these ordeals now.

Su Yi was still feeling uneasy but he suddenly saw that Wanyan Xu was smiling and was standing up to pour a cup of wine for Su Yi. Pouring a cup for himself, Wanyan Xu said: "As for the price, it must naturally be paid in time, but it won't be now. When that day comes, I'm afraid that I would not even have to call in this little favour. In the end I will be the winner, because fortunately for me, I have control over all of Su Su's greatest weakness. If it wasn't so, things would not be so easy for me indeed."

Wanyan Xu's mien was entirely serious. Su Yi felt both frightened and surprised: since Wanyan Xu had not made any lustful demands of Su Yi for the past two days, Su Yi had thought that he had gradually let go of such ideas, could it be that Su Yi had miscalculated? But if he had, then why didn't Wanyan Xu make any moves for the past two days? Moreover, the Great Qi had already become his possession, yet another jewel in his crown. Before long, he would even move his capital there. Su Yi's resistance was the only thing that had not gone according to Wanyan Xu's wishes, besides this fact, Su Yi could not see anything else about him that might have been worthy of Wanyan Xu's attentive ardour.

Wanyan Xu lifted Su Yi's hand, forcing him to raise his cup. After touching it with his own cup, Wanyan Xu said: "Thinking too much would not change anything. Savour the moment... As there is wine today, we shall get drunk today. Accompany me and drink your fill. Starting tomorrow, both of us will have to make preparations for the move of the capital, and in the future...ahh, In the future what kind of beastly appearance I will assume in your eyes is difficult to predict. After tonight, perhaps we will never again be able to share such an atmosphere. Su Su, my Su Su... You... you... aii..." his speech unfinished, he gave a long sigh, and drained his cup in a single gulp.

Su Yi saw that an unexpected trace of desolation had began to cloud Wanyan Xu's face, albeit it was faint. Ever more suspicious, he also drained his cup and said coldly: "So you have become the one who has been wronged? I think you have become drunk even before you have started to drink." So saying, he pushed Wanyan Xu away and found himself a book to read. However, with his thoughts in a whirl, he was unable to concentrate on the book at all.

End of Chapter 22

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[1]: A note on Wanyan Xu's status. Wanyan Xu has been referred to both as "皇"(huang) and "王"(wang) throughout the past few chapters. 皇 indicates Emperor while 王 means King. The associated adjective would also be imperial for 皇 as opposed to royal for 王. My translation follows the term used in each instance. Also, references to the former ruler of Qi have also been similarly inconsistent.

[2]: Wanyan Xu uses the royal "I/Me" throughout this chapter when he speaks.

[3]: This is a line of prose, and I have translated it quite literally.

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