The Kingdom That Never Sleeps CH 105 Tang Shen, Tang Daren
Dark clouds obscured the moon, and the chill of the night seeped through the air.
As the commander of the Liao State’s palace garrison, Yelü Qin held the rank of a third-rank official. His assassination attempt in his own manor caused immediate alarm throughout Xijin Prefecture. Left Minister Xiao Zhen personally led troops to Yelü Qin’s residence to hunt down the assassin and ensure the safety of the Second Prince, Yelü Shege.
In an instant, chaos engulfed Xijin Prefecture. The once tranquil night was shattered, with lights blazing everywhere as soldiers scoured the city.
Amid the confusion, Lu Shen seized the opportunity to slip away. Not daring to linger for fear of being discovered, he skillfully evaded the patrolling guards and returned to the small courtyard on the eastern side of the city, where Tang Shen had been waiting for him anxiously all night.
As soon as they met, Tang Shen asked, “What’s happening in the city? Does it have anything to do with Yelü Shege?”
Lu Shen, still shaken, replied, “It’s not related to Yelü Shege, but it concerns Yelü Qin. Daren, Yelü Qin was attacked—right under my nose! A masked assassin broke into his study and stole a letter. But… there’s something odd about it…”
Seeing Lu Shen’s hesitation, Tang Shen pressed, “What’s odd?”
With a confused expression, Lu Shen explained, “The moment Yelü Qin took out the letter, the assassin barged in, clearly having waited long enough to know exactly what he was after. Yelü Qin shouted for help, and the assassin couldn’t kill him in time, so he grabbed the letter and fled. But after the assassin escaped, Yelü Qin did something strange—he pulled out a dagger from his sleeve and stabbed himself!”
Tang Shen was stunned.
Yelü Qin… stabbed himself?
The incident seemed utterly surreal.
Even Lu Shen found it hard to believe. For someone like Yelü Qin, who was a cultured civil official, to cold-bloodedly stab himself and even break his own shoulder bone—it was beyond comprehension.
Tang Shen pondered the situation carefully, quickly running through several possibilities in his mind. But no matter how much he analyzed it, the reasoning seemed incomplete. He asked, “Tell me everything Yelü Qin and Yelü Shege did and said after the banquet at Xiao Manor.”
Lu Shen recounted every detail.
After listening intently, Tang Shen mulled it over before suddenly lifting his head. “You mentioned that Yelü Shege told Yelü Qin to rest early, as they would be inspecting the military camp together tomorrow morning?”
“Yes, I remember it clearly. I wouldn’t mistake something like that,” Lu Shen confirmed.
Tang Shen took a sharp breath. “This matter likely involves Yelü Shege as well!”
Lu Shen was shocked. “Do you mean the assassin was sent by Yelü Shege?”
“I didn’t say that,” Tang Shen clarified. “We still don’t know whose side Yelü Qin is really on, nor what role Yelü Shege is playing in this. But one thing is certain—he is definitely involved.” After a pause, Tang Shen’s expression darkened. “This doesn’t bode well. We might not be able to leave the city tomorrow.”
Meanwhile, at Yelü Qin’s residence, Left Chancellor Yelü Han had arrived. By then, Yelü Qin had regained consciousness. Though not gravely injured, his age and significant blood loss had caused him to faint earlier. By his bedside stood Yelü Shege, now dressed in full attire, his face solemn.
Yelü Qin attempted to rise and pay his respects, but Yelü Shege stopped him with a gentle push. “There’s no need for formalities. You’re injured—rest.”
Yelü Han addressed both men, “Your Highness, Commander, this matter is grave. I’ve already ordered the city to be sealed off to prevent the assassin from escaping. This brazen villain dared to infiltrate the Palace Commander’s residence and commit such a crime. Rest assured, Your Highness, I will apprehend the culprit. Commander, did you catch a glimpse of the assassin’s face?”
Yelü Qin, still weak, replied, “He was masked. I couldn’t see his face clearly. However, he appeared to be young, strong, and skilled in martial arts.”
This information was vague and unhelpful.
Yelü Han turned to Yelü Shege, “Your Highness, please rest assured, this official will capture the assassin.”
Yelü Shege radiated a chilling anger. With a furrowed brow, he said, “To dare break into the Commander’s residence and commit such audacity! Today, they attacked one of our highest officials—tomorrow, it could be me! Seal off the city, hunt down the assassin, and ensure he is captured with evidence in hand.”
Yelü Han’s expression changed subtly upon hearing the phrase “evidence in hand.”
Did this mean the assassin had stolen something?
He cast a thoughtful glance at Yelü Shege, saluted with a fist over his chest, and declared, “I shall not fail!”
Xijin was now a cauldron of turmoil, with tensions reaching a boiling point.
Meanwhile, in a deserted courtyard on the city’s western edge, the masked assassin stumbled inside, panting heavily. He hastily pulled out the stolen letter from his sleeve and unfolded it. Upon reading its contents, his eyes widened in shock. “Such a major matter—I must report this to daren immediately!”
However, he soon realized that the entire city was under lockdown. Not even a fly could leave unnoticed. Panic set in as he pondered how to deliver the message without getting caught.
Back at Yelü Qin’s residence, after drinking his medicine, Yelü Qin dismissed the servants.
Once the door creaked shut and they were alone, Yelü Qin made a move to rise, but Yelü Shege unfolded his fan with a snap, looking every bit the elegant nobleman. He smiled gently, though there was an eerie chill behind his expression. Using the fan, he pressed Yelü Qin back onto the bed, preventing him from getting up.
“Is the wound serious?” Yelü Shege asked, his voice calm.
Yelü Qin replied honestly, “It’s not too bad. I stabbed myself, so I avoided any critical areas.”
Yelü Shege’s eyes flashed with surprise. “The assassin didn’t manage to injure you?”
Anyone else might have found Yelü Shege’s words chilling.
He had known about the assassination attempt but still sent Yelü Qin as bait. Now, he was even complaining that the assassin hadn’t done his job properly. Yet Yelü Qin, far from being angered, admired Yelü Shege’s cold calculation and unyielding cunning.
“The fake intelligence report has been ‘delivered’ to the assassin,” Yelü Qin said. “If he manages to escape the city, it’ll serve as bait to mislead them. If he’s captured, the report becomes useless.”
Yelü Shege, who had personally crafted the fake report, smirked coldly. His handwriting was well-known throughout the Liao State, ensuring the false document’s authenticity would not be questioned.
“Then I truly hope,” Yelü Shege said, “that the assassin both delivers the letter and gets caught—it’ll serve as perfect evidence.”
The assassin likely never imagined that the letter he had worked so hard to steal was actually a fake!
Yelü Shege and Yelü Qin were setting a trap for him. They were so cunning that they had even written a false confidential letter to mislead their enemies, all while keeping a backup plan for themselves. However, they never expected that this letter would even leave Xijing Prefecture. What they truly wanted was to capture the assassin and point their swords at the person behind him. As for the fake letter, they would leave it to fate.
The next morning, Tang Shen changed into his clothes and, filled with hope, took a carriage intending to leave the city. Before reaching the city gates, however, the carriage was stopped by the guards.
"Who is in the carriage?"
Lu Shen, disguised as the coachman, jumped down and said, "Daren, we are merchants here to do business in Xijing Prefecture. Something happened at home, and we are in a hurry to return." As he spoke, he slipped money into the guard’s hand.
The guard heard Lu Shen speaking in the language of the Liao State and immediately replied, "A Song person?"
Tang Shen’s heart sank inside the carriage.
Lu Shen quickly smiled and said, "Yes, yes, I’m from the Song Dynasty."
The guard casually accepted the money but then kicked Lu Shen back and disdainfully said, "Go, go, go, don’t you know the city is sealed? Liao people can’t leave, and you, a Song person, think you can? You’d better go back now, and I’ll pretend I didn’t see anything."
Lu Shen: "You...!"
Tang Shen lifted the curtain of the carriage and said, "What the officer says is correct, old Lu, let’s go."
They had no choice but to turn back.
Back at the small courtyard, Tang Shen called for Qiao Jiu and said gravely, "I must return to Youzhou. Ten days ago, Su Wenyun sent a letter from Youzhou saying that someone had noticed my movements, and he can no longer cover for me. The city of Youzhou may not be united, and there may be spies from Liao State among them. I can’t stay any longer; I must return to Youzhou."
Qiao Jiu thought carefully for a moment and said, "I have a good relationship with Xiao Lü. Daren, should I go ask him for help?"
Tang Shen replied, "That’s not a bad idea."
Immediately, Qiao Jiu went to find Xiao Lü, claiming that his mother was gravely ill and that he wanted to send his son back to the Song Dynasty to care for her.
Xiao Lü’ had been so busy flattering Yelü Shege recently that he had completely forgotten about Qiao Jiu and his son, Qiao Jing. Upon hearing the request, he suddenly remembered Tang Shen, with his refined and scholarly demeanor.
Xiao Zhen had told Xiao Lü to stop thinking about sending “gifts” to Yelü Shege, but Xiao Lü had failed to win Yelü Shege’s favor in the past days. Now, feeling desperate, when Qiao Jiu came to him, he remembered this idea.
It was no secret among the high-ranking officials of the Liao State that Yelü Shege favored men, especially handsome, cultured Song scholars. Xiao Lü had heard this from Xiao Zhen, the Left Minister. Ordinary beautiful boys couldn’t please Yelü Shege; only men with grace and elegance could catch his eye.
Xiao Lü recalled Tang Shen’s appearance and demeanor, thinking that he would definitely attract Yelü Shege’s favor.
Xiao Lü's eyes lit up, and he said, "Brother Qiao, don’t worry, I won’t forget about your matter. However, Xijing Prefecture is currently sealed, so it’s difficult. Here’s the plan: you go back and wait while I think of something."
Qiao Jiu was unaware of Yelü Shege's preference for male lovers, and he also didn’t know that Xiao Lü had set his sights on Tang Shen. He gave Xiao Lü a gift and returned to the small courtyard with hopes for a solution. Once he left, Xiao Lü went to Yelü Qin's residence and visited Yelü Shege.
Yelü Shege didn’t immediately remember who Xiao Lü was, but it was his servant who reminded him. Then, Yelü Shege recognized him.
A smile of interest appeared on Yelü Shege’s face. "Why has this Xiao Lü come to see me?"
He called Xiao Lü in, who first showered him with flattering words, then explained the reason for his visit: "I have a friend, a Song merchant from Jiangnan, whose mother suddenly fell seriously ill. He wants to send his son back to the Song Dynasty to care for her. Your Highness, I have no choice but to come and ask for your help. I can guarantee, with my name, that this merchant and his son are trustworthy. I’ve met his son before—he is a cultured and refined scholar. Now that he wants to leave the city, I came to see you..."
Upon hearing this, Yelü Shege narrowed his dark eyes and fixed them coldly on Xiao Lü. After a long while, Yelü Shege smiled and opened his folding fan. "A scholar from the Song Dynasty? Mr. Xiao, has other motives it seems. But it doesn’t matter; this is a small matter for me. Bring him before me. It’s just leaving the city; a hand-written order will do."
Xiao Lü was overjoyed and quickly agreed, not sensing the murderous intent in Yelü Shege’s words.
That very night, Xiao Lü sent someone to the small courtyard to inform Qiao Jiu that the next day, he would take Tang Shen to meet the Second Prince. He had asked the Second Prince to help Tang Shen leave the city.
Upon hearing this, Qiao Jiu immediately realized something was wrong.
When Tang Shen found out, his face darkened. He didn't think of the possibility of being presented as a gift. Instead, he thought, "Yelü Shege lives at Yelü Qin's residence and stays with Yelü Qin. I cannot go tomorrow." After thinking for a long time, Tang Shen coldly smiled and called for Lu Shen. "There are two ways to leave the city. First, we sneak out; second, Yelü Shege and Yelü Qin want to catch the assassin, right? Then we’ll help them capture him."
Lu Shen replied, "I personally saw the assassin head west, and even Yelü Qin doesn’t know about it."
Tang Shen nodded. “I’ll leave this matter to you.” Then, he turned to Qiao Jiu and said, “We’ve put in so much effort to establish a foothold in Xijin Prefecture and gain an advantage, so we can’t abandon it now. This time, it was my oversight; I was seen by Xiao Lü. He is the only one in the entire Xijin Prefecture who knows what I look like. Once Lu Shen captures the assassin, Qiao Jiu, this is your chance. What you need to do is find a way to tie this incident to you and make sure you catch Yelü Qin’s attention. Apart from that…”
His voice trailed off as Tang Shen lifted his gaze to the moon in the sky.
Suddenly, he felt a pang of longing for Wang Zhen.
If Wang Zhen were here, how would he feel hearing what Tang Shen was about to say? What would he think of him?
The next moment, Tang Shen spoke calmly, “Kill Xiao Lü.”
AN: To be honest, Xiao Tang Lang is now truly an official.
By the way, the reason why the Liao State’s storyline has been progressing slowly—has anyone noticed?—is that the pace is slow because this time, Xiao Tang Lang is the mastermind and the planner. In the previous schemes, he was always a bystander; even when he participated, he wasn’t the one making the moves. This time, he’s the one making the plans, so there are a lot of details that didn’t need to be written before (after all, those making the moves weren’t our protagonist), but now we have to include them.
But don’t worry, this chapter is almost over, and soon Su Wenyun will take over.
What will Su daren do? Guess! Of course, old Su isn’t the protagonist, so we won’t be writing so much in detail about him.