It is precisely because the senior leaders have achieved a high degree of consensus in a short period of time and quickly formed an alliance to form a community of interests that they can respond quickly and in unison when facing emergencies. For example, Zhao Yanshou suddenly transferred his troops and settled in Zhenzhou. It caused quite a commotion in the army.
Two military leaders, Yeluhou and Yeluwa, decisively led their troops to follow him into the city, which gave Zhao Yanshou a great psychological deterrent and made him dare not act rashly. Then he cooperated with Yelu Ruan to hold the Hongmen Banquet, and eliminated the biggest threat in the army-Zhao Yanshou without using a single soldier.
When Zhao Yanshou was eradicated, the Yelu Ruan Group had already begun to spread rumors about the "posthumous edict", create public opinion, and establish Yelu Ruan as the only designated heir to the throne of the Liao Empire. Now they are spreading rumors about the former crown prince-"the crown prince" Yelu Li. With the news of Hu's death, it was natural for Yelu Ruan to become emperor.
Surrounded by hundreds of civil and military officials, Yelu Ruan ascended the throne and proclaimed himself emperor in Zhenzhou. Later, he left all the civil and military officials of the Later Jin Dynasty who had taken him north to stay in Zhenzhou, and only brought maids, eunuchs, and court officials with him. Next, he will face an unprecedented test, which is the showdown with Queen Mother Shulu.
When the Empress Dowager Shulu heard that Yelu Ruan had proclaimed himself emperor in Zhenzhou without authorization, she was furious. She immediately mobilized troops to intercept them and refused to allow them to return to Beijing.
Defending the capital was the bottom line for Queen Mother Shulu. As long as Yelu Ruan cannot return to Beijing and does not hold a formal enthronement ceremony, legally speaking, he is not the emperor in the true sense, and Queen Mother Shulu will have a chance to make a comeback.
Empress Dowager Shulu sent her third son, Yelu Lihu, and Taizong's legitimate son, Yelu Tiande, to lead the battle. The main reasons why she sent Yelu Lihu to lead the battle were as follows:
1. Refute rumors.
Yelu Ruan spread the "news of Yelu Lihu's death" to maintain his legal status. As long as it is proved that Yelu Lihu is still alive, then the status of the "emperor's younger brother" is tantamount to draining the bottom of the fire for Yelu Ruan.
2. Brush your qualifications.
Generally speaking, the heir to the throne must have commanded wars. Generally speaking, he must be appointed as the "Generalissimo of the World's Soldiers and Horses" or to conquer and suppress rebellions or foreign invasions in certain places, and "recruit envoys when traveling and camping in such and such places." Of course, nine times out of ten, this is just in name, and it is the experienced "deputy envoy" who actually directs the operations. Gain reputation, accumulate qualifications, accumulate contacts, and gain experience.
Now, Yelu Ruan and Yelu Lihu are competing for the throne. If not Yelu Lihu, who else can be sent?
Interestingly, in the first formal armed contact between the two sides, it was not Yelu Ruan's troops who fought to the death with the "Queen Mother Party".
It can be said that the fans of Yelu Ruan were the first to start a war with the "Queen Mother Party". They were not in the army going south, but stayed in the rear. Their battle was not part of Yelu Ruan's plan at all.
The leaders of this group of powerful fans are Yelu Anduan and Brother Yelu Liu.
Yelu Anduan is of high seniority and belongs to the "grandfather generation". His deeds will be unfolded in detail later; Brother Yelu Liu is also of high seniority. He is the nephew of Yelu Abaoji, and his father is Yelu Abaoji. His younger brother Yelu Yindishi.
Brother Yeluliu was not a thing since he was a child. He was "arrogant and cruel when he was young, and he liked to bully others." Out of sight and out of mind on the frontier, Brother Yelu Liu has always been excluded from the imperial court, so he especially hates the current consolidation of power, so he is very eager to have a big reshuffle.
Yelu Anduan initially followed Yelu Deguang on the southern expedition, but later moved to the rear to recuperate due to illness, and lived next to Brother Yelu Liu, so the uncle and nephew moved around more closely in private.
When the army was planning to appoint Yelu Ruan, many political elders and military leaders were very hesitant and not fully sure whether they could successfully overthrow the Queen Mother Shulu, such as the "grandfather" Yelu Anduan.
The residence of Yelu Anduan and Brother Yelu Liu happened to be between the forces of Queen Mother Shulu and Yelu Ruan. This position was unique and very dangerous. Being geographically in the middle makes it impossible for them to be "centrists" politically. They cannot sit back and watch, and they must choose sides immediately. If you choose the right position, you will be a "hero who serves your fate"; if you choose the wrong position, you will be a chicken that is used to scare the monkeys.
At present, Yelu Ruan's troops are coming from the south, and Queen Mother Shulu's troops are coming from the north. There is not much time left for the uncle and nephew, and they must choose their sides in a timely and clear-cut manner.
Brother Yelv Liu, who was afraid that the world would not be in chaos, insisted on siding with Yelu Ruan. Because only by supporting Yelu Ruan can the cards be reshuffled and the old order maintained (the Queen Mother Shulu), then he will never be able to get ahead.
Under the instigation of Brother Yelu Liu, Yelu Anduan finally decided to support Yelu Ruan.
Although Yelu Anduan's character is questionable, his attitude is still very important. After all, he is Taizu's biological brother, and his words are very weighty.
The two led their troops and horses to fight north, and encountered Yelu Tiande, the forward of the "Queen Mother Party" at Ted Spring. A fierce armed conflict broke out between the two sides.
During the fierce battle, Yelu'an's horse stumbled and fell off the horse. Seeing this, Yelu Tiande pushed his horse forward and raised his spear to stab him. At the critical moment, Brother Yelu Liu used his body to block Yelu Anduan, and at the same time he drew his bow and fired an arrow.
It's too late, but it's soon. Brother Yelu Liu shot an arrow at Yelu Tiande, but because he was too hasty and not powerful enough, the arrow penetrated Yelu Tiande's armor but did not penetrate his skin. Yelu Tiande was lucky enough to save his life, but he also lost the opportunity to finish Yelu Anduan's attack. Yelu Anduan changed his horse and fought again, but Yelu Tiande was defeated.
This encounter ended with the defeat of Yelu Lihu, the "Queen Mother Party".
After repelling Yelu Lihu, Yelu'an Duancai and Yelu Liu Ge turned around and headed south to meet Yelu Ruan, taking this defeat of Yelu Lihu as a vote of honor.
Yelu Ruan was overjoyed and very grateful to the two for their timely surrender. Afterwards, they both became kings and prime ministers and were entrusted with important responsibilities.
Yelu Lihu was defeated and retreated to the capital. The Empress Dowager Shulu was furious and said, "You are such a waste!" So the old man personally went out and led his own troops to fight; Yelu Ruan also led a large army to approach the capital. The two sides finally met at the crossing of Huangshui (today's Xilamulun River) and faced off across the river. The atmosphere was rather strange.
Both sides came fiercely, but uniformly remained silent.
Yelu Ruan occupies an absolute advantage in the military. He has all the elites of the Khitan in his hands, and the troops of the "Queen Mother Party" can basically be regarded as a police force, both in terms of quantity, quality of soldiers, and combat effectiveness. They were far behind; politically, the "Queen Mother's Party" also did not have an advantage, because even among the officials in Shangjing City, many of them were loyal to Yelu Ruan.
