On the way back to Changping from "hunting", they were walking slowly all the way. The strong horse suppressed its galloping desire under the restraint of its owner. Zhao Siwan did not have a heavy expression, but had a cold face. There was thinking in his black pupils, as if he was still sketching out his thoughts in his mind. great cause.
The soldiers around him were silently following and guarding him. Although there were only about a dozen of them, the daily training was almost engraved in their bones. According to the progress of the march, the division of labor among the sentries, guards, and rear guards was clear, and they cooperated in an orderly manner. of elite temperament.
"General, do we really want to cooperate with the Khitans?" Finally, before turning to the right path, Zhao Siwan came back from his thoughts and the confidant officer following him couldn't help but ask.
Facing his question, Zhao Siwan turned her head and looked at him, slightly curious: "Can you tell me that there are times when I regret my decision?"
After hearing what he said, the officer said: "I know that the general is resolute, and we have nothing to fear. We have no objection to attacking the Khitans, even if we go south to attack the imperial court. But if we unite with the Khitans and betray the King of Yan, will... ..."
Seeing the conflicted look on his face, Zhao Siwan was not angry, but his eyes softened and asked: "Zhao Yan, how long have you been following me?"
"It's been 11 years since Shi Jin started his fortune three years ago!" the officer named Zhao Yan recalled it and said seriously.
"It's been 11 years. The child with a yellow mouth back then is now a father and has become famous!" Zhao Siwan also said with emotion, but her tone suddenly turned serious: "I gave you your name. You and I have been through life and death these years. From then on, From Youzhou to Kaifeng, from Guanzhong back to Youzhou! On the battlefield, with mountains of swords, mountains of fire, seas of life and death, you never questioned my decision, but now, you actually dare to raise objections? "
"General, that's not what I meant, I -" Seeing Zhao Siwan's displeasure, Zhao Yan immediately explained.
However, Zhao Siwan did not give him a chance to continue speaking. With the flash of the sword, a big head flew up. The headless corpse was splattered with blood and was carried forward by the good horse. Zhao Yan's hand subconsciously placed it on the saber at his waist, stiffening on the handle.
This sudden attack startled the surrounding soldiers and looked at Zhao Siwan with some confusion. However, Zhao Siwan's expression remained as usual. She stopped her mount, took out a piece of silk from her arms, wiped the blood spattered on her face, wiped the steel knife slowly, and then slowly sheathed it.
Gathering all the soldiers who were accompanying him, and looking around, Zhao Siwan said coldly: "You are all Paoze brothers who have followed me for many years. I also regard you as my brothers and sisters, and I entrust you with my life. I will only say the same thing once.
Those who achieve great things do not stick to trivial matters! For the sake of our future, wealth, honor and disgrace in life and death, from now on you must wholeheartedly obey my words and create great achievements together. Once a great thing is accomplished, it will be worth it! Do you understand everything? "
"Yes!" A group of people responded solemnly.
Looking at Zhao Yan's body, Zhao Siwan looked indifferent and waved her hand: "Take care of the body. When we go back, tell us that Zhao Yan accidentally fell into the mountain and his body is gone! In addition, give his family 200 coins and 100 pieces of silk." , with Quan’s long-term friendship. Although he has a unclear mind and cannot be united with me, I don’t blame him! "
Soon, another body appeared in the mountains and fields of Changping. After getting back on the road, Zhao Siwan's description became more and more gloomy. Thinking about the meeting with Xiao Husi, a disdainful smile appeared at the corner of his mouth. He could see that although Xiao Husi did not directly agree to him, he was obviously tempted.
He, Zhao Siwan, and even Zhao Kuangzan deliberately betrayed him, so how could he truly serve the Khitan people? In the final analysis, it is still a fake Khitan force for his own benefit. In his opinion, no matter how powerful the Liao Kingdom was, it was basically impossible to destroy the current Han Dynasty.
However, with the danger of Beisei under control, and with his cooperation, it should not be a big problem to conquer Youzhou, break through the Han's Hebei defense line, and gain some of Hebei's base.
And with the temper and power of the Han Emperor, the whole country would definitely fight against him. With Han and Liao now fighting fiercely, the Khitan would have to rely on him in many places. The conflict between Han and Liao must be the opportunity for Zhao Siwan to rise. By then, not only becoming a hero, but also becoming the king and hegemony may not be impossible.
Zhao Siwan's vision for the future and his ambitious blueprint were still beautifully outlined in his mind.
...
Xiao Husi, the Liao envoy, left Juyongguan. After returning to the Liao territory, he accelerated his return to the dynasty. However, he did not go north to Beijing, but turned west to Yunzhou, because the Emperor Yelujing of the Liao Dynasty was on a hunting trip in Yunzhou.
In the past two years, Yelujing's frequency of outings has increased significantly, inspecting the cities, tribesmen, soldiers and horses under her rule, and of course, more importantly, to satisfy the Liao Emperor's hunting desire. The Liao Kingdom has a vast territory and there are many places suitable for hunting. I have visited many places in the past two years. Regardless of my original intention, my repeated inspections have also helped maintain Yelujing's rule, consolidate his status, and deter dissatisfied tribesmen. It has had a certain effect. Everywhere he went, there were local troops accompanying Emperor Liao in hunting.
Because the emperor was on hunting tours, local officials, nobles, and chiefs collected more wealth for his enjoyment, which caused public drama and resentment. Later, after hearing about his situation, Yelujing ordered that the imperial driver should go hunting, and the local officials would welcome and provide supplies. They should not disturb the people, let alone gather money in the name of serving the driver.
Although she is playful, Yelujing has always been very tolerant towards ordinary people in the Liao Kingdom. If we can be less playful and focus more on the governance of the country, easing domestic conflicts, and developing political and military development, the strength of the Liao Kingdom will definitely increase.
Last year, Yelujing went to his hometown of Bohai for two months, drank wine, hunted, and thoroughly enjoyed the products and customs of the prosperous country in the east of the sea. However, it was the first time for Yelujing to hunt south to Yunzhou since he succeeded to the throne. Therefore, Yelujing was very interested.
Since the founding of the Khitan state, its political and military systems have been continuously being Sinicized. Yelu Abaoji, Yelu Deguang and then Yelu Ruan have all played an important role in promoting it. During the four years of Yelu Ruan's reign, it was even more A major coup led to sharp internal conflicts between Hu and Han, which eventually led to a backlash.
In addition to the power factor, the essence of the Huoshendian Rebellion that year was that Yelu Chag was able to gain the support of so many Khitan nobles and successfully killed Yelu Ruan. It was also because of Yelu Ruan's Sinicization reforms and the Han behavior that violated the Khitan nobles. It is our interests, and the mutiny is just the most intense and intuitive manifestation of the backlash.
After Yelujing came to power, in view of this, he reached a certain compromise with the domestic Khitan clan and nobles, abolished Yelujing and formulated a series of radical sinicization systems that were not in line with the national conditions, denounced many Han ministers, and effectively carried out the separation of Hu and Han. rule.
It can be said that the years of Yelujing's reign marked the stagnation or even regression of the sinicization process of the Liao Kingdom. However, it is undeniable that it alleviated internal conflicts and contributed to the stability of the country.
Sinicization is an effective measure to strengthen national strength, consolidate the foundation of rule, and enhance national destiny, but it must also be based on actual national conditions. No matter what, as an empire on the grasslands, the Khitan and other tribes were the basis of Liao's rule.
Of course, in Yunshuo and Monan that were cut off from Shi Jin, as well as in western and eastern Liaoning areas, the Liao Kingdom still maintained a high degree of Chinese rule. Yunzhou was an important place in the southern part of the Liao Kingdom facing Han affairs. It was the political and military center in the southern part of the Liao Kingdom. Yelu Talie, the king of the southern courtyard, had been sitting here for many years.
The place where Yelujing hunted this time was at Baishan Mountain in the east of Zhongcheng. As a historical site, Maodun surrounded Liu Bang, the founder of the Han Dynasty. Yelujing wanted to pay homage to the historical site.
In fact, this also made many ministers of the Liao Kingdom who knew the ancient books of the southerners couldn't help but wonder whether the Liao Emperor was hinting at something. After all, in recent years, when they had not visited the south, the Han Dynasty in the south had been in turmoil and the situation had changed dramatically. . As for the Northern Han Dynasty, there was still a period of time when they recognized Liu Bang as their ancestor...
For Yelujing, who loves hunting, what prey is more worthy of chasing and rounding up than enemy countries and enemy masters? The enemy is in the south, and a hunting monarch may not have such ambitions.
Following Yelujing on his hunt to the south were still Suwei's own troops, the Pishi Army. When Yelucha cut rebelled and killed Yelu Ruan, it was under the leadership of Yelu Wuzhi, who was then Pi Shixiang, that he brought order to the chaos, eliminated the rebels, and supported him to ascend to the throne of emperor.
Because of that relationship, after Yelujing succeeded to the throne, he treated the Pishi Army very favorably. In recent years, in addition to combating internal rebellion, they have also spared no effort to strengthen control of the Pishi Army. He promoted a large number of cronies, eliminated the control of nobles such as Yelu Wuzhi, and at the same time increased his troops to more than 40,000 people to defend the emperor.
The emperor went hunting, accompanied by tens of thousands of elite troops. Probably only a grassland empire like the Liao Kingdom could afford it.
