Kaifeng, Tokyo, with its back to the canal, stands in the hinterland of the Central Plains. Today's Tokyo, after many years of construction, has become a first-class majestic city, ranking among the best in the world.
Since the Sui and Tang Dynasties, due to excessive land development and rapid population growth, Guanzhong's economy has declined and it has gradually lost its position as the center of the national economy. Especially after the Anshi Rebellion, Guanzhong's economy was further restricted by repeated attacks by war, and Chang'an's several losses gradually caused it to lose its political status.
Guanzhong continues to sink, accompanied by the fact that the economic center of gravity does not move eastward but southward, and the political center of gravity continues to move eastward. Bianjing, with its convenient transportation and prosperous economy, has become a beneficiary of this process.
Chang'an was ruined, Luoyang fell, and Biandu rose.
Since Zhu Wen usurped the Tang Dynasty and established Liang Dynasty, making Bianjing the capital, the status of this city has been rising day by day. Even though the Tang Dynasty moved its capital to Luoyang more than ten years later, after Shi Jingtang succeeded the Jin Dynasty, he could not survive for two years and moved the capital again to the more prosperous Daliang.
Prosperity is the biggest feature of Kaifeng. However, no matter how gorgeous and prosperous it is, it cannot withstand the devastation of war. Even though the Khitans did not commit mass murder or arson after entering Bian, their ferocious looting and endless oppression still added a bit of sadness to this pearl of the Central Plains.
The mid-spring breeze blew softly through the thick city walls of Kaifeng, but it could not dissipate the desolate atmosphere hanging over the city walls. All over the city, the Khitan people were on guard and patrol, and brand-new "Liao" flags were erected high beside the female wall.
At this time, Tokyo succumbed to the rule of Liao Emperor Yelu Deguang, and the rule of the newly born "Liao Kingdom" over the people of the Central Plains had been crumbling in the chaos of political chaos since its establishment. In the past few days, with the continuous bad news coming, the Liao Emperor Yelu Deguang, who was enjoying himself in Bian Palace, complained more than once: The Chinese people are too difficult to rule...
Kaifeng is divided into three palaces, inner and outer cities, and in the rows of squares, many of the mansions that originally belonged to senior officials and ministers of the later Jin Dynasty were occupied by Khitan generals.
In the southeast of the palace city, in Yilifang, close to the main entrance, there are all high-ranking families, and one of the mansions is particularly expensive. This was originally the residence of Jing Yanguang, the auxiliary minister of the later Jin Dynasty. After Jing Yanguang's tragic death, it was awarded to Zhao Yanshou, the Zhongjing left-behind, prime minister, privy envoy, and king of Yan in the Liao Kingdom.
At this time, the Prince Yan's Mansion, compared with the coldness of the streets and alleys in Kaifeng City, was full of singing and dancing. In the back hall, there is a charming girl dancing with a graceful and sultry posture. Zhao Yanshou, the king of Yan, is leaning on the table, his eyes are sad, and his pale face is full of drunkenness.
After the establishment of the Liao Dynasty, people in Tokyo were silent. However, as the most "valued" Han official of Emperor Yelu Deguang of Liao Dynasty, His Highness King Yan did not seem to be in a good mood. In fact, Zhao Yanshou has been unhappy since Yelu Deguang became emperor and wanted to rule the Central Plains.
Zhao Yanshou, a native of Zhenzhou, was a young man with good looks and a good book and history. He first became an official in the Later Tang Dynasty. Like Shi Jingtang, he was the son-in-law of Emperor Mingzong of the Tang Dynasty Li Siyuan and a noble relative of the empire. He was also a prominent figure in the later Tang Dynasty and held great power. His adoptive father, Zhao Dejun, was also highly regarded by Li Siyuan. He was Lulong's military envoy at that time, and he held Youzhou for more than ten years. To a certain extent, the qualifications and strength of Zhao Dejun and his son at that time were not weaker than Shi Jingtang of Hedong.
After Shi Jingtang had a falling out with the Later Tang Dynasty and their weapons met, Zhao Dejun was also ordered to send troops to attack Hedong. Zhao Dejun, who held the Lulong Army in his hands, had a careful thought and began to discuss conditions with the Later Tang court, intending to annex Fan Yanguang's army stationed in Liaozhou, expand his strength, and obtain Zhenzhou Jiedu for Zhao Yanshou.
However, Emperor Li Congke of the late Tang Dynasty, who had a strong character and was uncompromising, flatly refused and issued a tough edict urging troops to advance. Zhao Dejun was dissatisfied with the dislike of the imperial court and wanted to join the Khitan people instead.
At that time, Yelu Deguang was invited by Shi Jingtang to "cede territory and become a vassal" and had already led his troops south to Jinyang to help in the war. Probably inspired by Shi Jingtang, Zhao Dejun sent envoy Yelu Deguang to also request to be established as emperor.
At that time, there were still some ulterior motives between Shi Jingtang and Yelu Deguang. Later, the Tang court actually had a strong military force, and was very tempted by Zhao Dejun's invitation to Yelv Deguang, and wanted to abandon Shi Jingtang. It was Shi Jingtang's confidant Sang Weihan who went to the Khitan camp in person and staged a scene of "crying in front of the tent", which gave the Khitan master a good analysis of the love's heart, so that Yelv Deguang did not change his tune.
When Shi Jingtang took over the world, Zhao Dejun and his son were in an embarrassing situation and were locked back to the Khitan. Zhao Dejun died miserably, but Zhao Yanshou was reused.
Zhao Yanshou was a man of certain talents, beautiful in appearance, and good at poetry. In Beiting, every poem he wrote was often circulated. He was appointed by Yelu Deguang as the governor of Youzhou, in charge of affairs in the south, and was granted the title of King of Yan.
Last year, when the Khitan army marched south, they worked particularly hard because Yelu Deguang had expressed more than once that he wanted to rule China with Han people, and the implication was already obvious.
After the Khitan army entered Bian and destroyed the Jin Dynasty, Zhao Yanshou became more active and gave Yelu Deguang a lot of "constructive" suggestions on how to rule the Central Plains, such as dividing the Jin state and reducing its soldiers, paying Hu soldiers to stop them. Looting, pacifying Jie Zhen... It's a pity that Yelu Deguang didn't listen much.
Even so, during the more than a month after Yelu Deguang arrived in Bian, Zhao Yanshou was still "working diligently" just because of the burning expectations in his heart.
Son Emperor, Shi Jingtang could do it, why couldn't Zhao Yanshou do it.
However, it was probably too easy to destroy the Jin Dynasty, and Yelu Deguang also changed his mind. He finally changed his mind and ascended the throne and proclaimed himself emperor, becoming the lord of China. Once his long-cherished wish was shattered, Zhao Yanshou's mentality collapsed. His mind began to lose its clarity, so he asked Li Song, the Prime Minister of the Later Jin Dynasty, to speak to Yelu Deguang in order to seek the position of crown prince.
This is just a lack of eyesight. Yelu Deguang smiled at this and refused in a very friendly manner. However, in order to appease Zhao Yanshou, he was given a series of resounding titles, but his real power was completely removed. By the way, even the soldiers of the Jin army who were originally under his control were also deprived...
Today's Zhao Yanshou can be regarded as the number one Han minister in the Liao Kingdom in terms of position and qualifications. However, in fact, it has been completely reduced to a mascot, just for show.
How could Zhao Yanshou not see clearly these things? Twenty days have passed, and the resentment in his heart has not weakened due to the passage of time, but has become more depressed. Now, even drinking and beauties can't relieve him.
There was a crisp "pop" sound, the wine glass was smashed to pieces, and the dancing and music in the hall came to an abrupt end. Zhao Yanshou looked like he suddenly woke up from his drunken state, and glared fiercely: "Continue!"
The sound of the orchestra continued to sound, and Mei Niang continued to dance. Zhao Yanshou took a new cup and handed it to the waiter: "Give it to Guman!"
"Yes!" Facing the moody Zhao Yanshou, the waiter was very afraid.
After taking a sip of the yellow soup, the drunkenness on Zhao Yanshou's face deepened and he became even more depressed.
"Your Majesty!" A figure hurriedly entered the hall, it should be an old servant, until he stood in front of Zhao Yanshou.
"What's the matter?" Zhao Yanshou's attention was still on the dancers in the hall, as if he wanted to choose one to sleep with him tonight.
"There is someone from the palace, His Majesty the Emperor has summoned you to see you!"
"Emperor? Haha, don't go!" Zhao Yanshou snorted coldly.
Seeing this, the old servant's face showed a hint of panic, and he was about to persuade him, but he heard that Zhao Yanshou had a sad face and said quietly: "Go clean yourself with me and prepare your court clothes..."
