"Your Majesty, none of that matters. What matters is how we ensure Zhao Yuankan's safety from here on," Yelü Xiezhen said.
"That is precisely why I summoned you both. Do either of you have any good ideas?" Liao Shengzong asked.
"Difficult!" Yelü Xiezhen shook his head.
Liao Shengzong then turned his gaze toward Han Derang.
Feeling Liao Shengzong's gaze on him, Han Derang spoke. "Your Majesty, as Lord Yelü said, this will be difficult. Still, however difficult something may be, there is always a way."
"Lord Han, tell me quickly. What good plan do you have?" Liao Shengzong asked urgently. "Surely our great Khitan cannot allow anything to happen to Zhao Yuankan? Otherwise, what would the other nations think of Khitan?"
"It is not really much of a plan. First, strengthen the defenses, then send experts to protect him in secret. Right now, it is not just certain people in Song who want Zhao Yuankan dead. Even in Khitan, I fear quite a few people have the same intention," Han Derang said.
"Lord Han, surely that is not the only idea you have come up with?" Yelü Xiezhen asked, somewhat puzzled.
To him, this hardly counted as a plan. Anyone could have thought of doing that.
"Indeed, Lord Han. Why not explain your thoughts in more detail, so His Majesty and I know where we stand?" Empress Dowager Xiao said.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, at present, I have only a tentative idea, which also amounts to a conjecture. Since Your Majesty insists, I shall share my true thoughts," Han Derang said.
The other three pricked up their ears, waiting for Han Derang to continue.
"In my view, we can largely leave this matter alone," Han Derang said.
"Leave it alone?" Liao Shengzong was utterly puzzled. They could