The autumn sun was low, unable to hide the loneliness. In the miserable wind, a figure bound its hands and feet, standing respectfully in front of Chongzheng Hall, like a drooping pine tree, motionless.
Under the hall, the servants lowered their eyebrows and the guards stood upright. They were indifferent to the other people and just stuck to their posts. The people who came were also very calm and waited quietly. They looked very dignified.
When Zhao Pu arrived, he saw this person and couldn't help but take a second look. The waiter, who was originally low-brow and submissive, immediately sharpened his eyes. When he discovered Zhao Pu, he immediately became energetic and greeted him diligently: "I have met your husband."
"Yes!" Zhao Pu did not act like a prime minister to these internal servants serving in front of the emperor. He smiled and nodded and asked: "Is your majesty here?"
Emperor Liu's whereabouts are still very mysterious to the outer court. Zhao Pu also knows that Emperor Liu often leaves the palace these days, and he does not dare to confirm that he will be able to meet the emperor when he comes.
Maybe you know it in your heart, but it's hard to show it. As a minister, you have to pay attention to the emperor's whereabouts, but if you know it too clearly, it will be taboo.
"Replying to your Majesty, Your Majesty has just returned to the palace not long ago!" the chamberlain said, "Young man, go and report it now!"
"Thank you!" Zhao Pu nodded.
Then, he also went to the front of the hall and stood with the man just now. When he saw Zhao Pu, he also showed a friendly smile. He was not resentful because of the different treatment. He cupped his hands and said, "I have met Prime Minister Zhao!"
Zhao Pu stood up naturally, tilted his head to look at the dark-faced, long-bearded old man, and responded with a smile: "You don't have to be polite, Minister Xiao. When did you arrive in Tokyo?"
This person was none other than Xiao Siwen, a Khitan surrender minister. He was not among those accompanying him on this eastward tour, but now he suddenly appeared and was waiting to be seen in front of the palace. Zhao Pu was naturally curious and unavoidably a little bit inquisitive.
Upon hearing the question, Xiao Siwen replied: "It's early in the afternoon and I came here to see His Majesty."
"Did something happen to the north?" Zhao Pu asked.
A look of admiration appeared on Xiao Siwen's face, and he said with an expression of admiration: "Xiang Zhao really has a sharp eye and a piercing eye. As he said, there is a piece of news from Khitan, and I think it may be useful to the court!"
After Xiao Siwen fled south to the Han Dynasty, he was awarded the title of Minister of War and was given a high position, but he had no real power. However, he is still of great value to the Han Dynasty. There is no doubt that he is the Han Dynasty's expert on Khitan affairs. He is full of gold and is much more powerful than Wang Zhaoyuan, who became a monk halfway.
Therefore, Xiao Siwen's position in the Han Dynasty was to be an adviser on Khitan affairs. He could be summoned by Emperor Liu from time to time to consult on grassland affairs. Of course, in order to give full play to his role, Emperor Liu also assigned him a position, which was known to everyone in the Prairie Affairs Office of Wude Division.
Of course, this is still a false position with no real power, and it is still under the supervision of the Wude Division. But even so, Xiao Siwen also provided the court with a lot of useful information through his understanding of the grassland conditions and some relationships in Khitan.
And since the Khitan moved north and escaped to Mobei, it has become even more difficult for the Han people to spy on the Khitan. Xiao Siwen more promptly made up for the Han's shortage of Khitan intelligence affairs. He was also very active. He had joined the Han Dynasty, vowed not to look back, and went further and further on the promising career path of Liao traitor.
"Oh? What's going on? Have you ever told me something about it first?" Zhao Pu frowned slightly and asked.
The Han Dynasty was at a critical juncture. He didn't want any more problems to arise in the north. The most important issue in the north was the Khitan, and Emperor Liu had always wanted to get rid of the Khitan and then quickly.
"That's natural!" Xiao Siwen did not refuse, but sighed, and then responded: "It's not a top secret. Not long ago, the Khitan Taiping King Yelu Sage died!"
"What's the hidden secret?" Zhao Pu immediately sensed the key point. If only a Khitan clan prince had died, Xiao Siwen would not have been asked to rush to Tokyo to report it.
Xiao Siwen looked a little serious and said: "According to reports, it is the clan ministers and subordinates gathered by Yelu Sage who want to launch a rebellion, depose the Khitan Lord, and take back the throne of Taizong Yelu Deguang. But the plan is not secret, and for the Khitan Lord I feel that suppression brings death. Although the matter calmed down quickly and was blocked with all efforts, some news still came out, and what I have seen is believed to be true!"
Zhao Pu frowned even more tightly, not because he was worried about the internal situation in Khitan, but because he was worried about how Emperor Liu would make decisions and react. After thinking for a while, he sighed: "It seems that there is still no peace within the Khitan! Mobei has not yet been completely settled, and there is another dispute over the throne within the clan."
In turmoil, internal problems are often magnified. If the Khitan can maintain its national destiny, with Yelvxian's ability and skill, some internal problems can still be properly solved, and even a slight disturbance can lead to catastrophe. After all, it seems that Yelujing remained firmly on the throne despite being so unpopular when she was in power.
But the reality is that under the persistent and strong pressure of the Han Dynasty, the once glorious Liao Kingdom fell apart, collapsed, and even fled to Mobei in great shame to avoid the edge.
Under such circumstances, it is extremely difficult to maintain internal unity. At that time, because of Yelujing's defeat in the Northern Expedition, the opponents within the Khitan raised their troops and rebelled in Shangjing.
The situation in the Khitan under Yelvxian's rule was even worse. During the chaos in Mobei, Emperor Liu had wondered why only the tribes in Mobei resisted and stood up for themselves, while the Khitan clan fell silent. This was obviously not true. It's normal, and it's not in line with their usual culture of infighting.
After all, when Yelvxian came to power, it was due to the right time, the right people, luck, and many accidents. Even so, there is still a suspicion of conspiracy to seize the throne. How could Yelv Deguang's descendants be truly convinced, especially after Yelv Xian led Liao into the abyss of decline, the dissatisfaction and antagonism would only increase, not decrease.
Now it seems that the struggle for the throne that has troubled the Khitan for decades is still going on, and Yelvxian has not been able to solve it. It is just that it has not been fully expressed, or Yelvxian has suppressed it properly.
Soon, the chamberlain hurried out of the palace and loudly called out the names. Emperor Liu announced that Zhao Pu and Xiao Siwen were here to see him. In the palace, Emperor Liu was in high spirits. He had just returned from a trip to Daxiangguo Temple. The emperor and his ministers sat down and shared some of their travel experiences with them, expressing his feelings about the increasing prosperity of Jingmiao Street in Tokyo.
After a few words of greeting, Xiao Siwen also briefly told the news about the Khitan and some of his judgments. Emperor Liu really showed interest in this.
With a bit of schadenfreude in his mood, Emperor Liu said: "This news has answered the doubts in my heart. The Khitan is internally restless and has difficulty joining forces. This is indeed a good thing for the Han Dynasty. The concubine of Yelv Deguang and Yelv Bei The battles between people seem to be endless!”
Listening to Emperor Liu's words, Xiao Siwen said: "Yelu Kuang Sage is really a man of great ambition and talent. He is never willing to be subordinate to others and has often rebelled against others. When the former Khitan master was in power, he conspired to depose him. After being demoted, he still refused to do so. I want to repent and amassing power in Mobei, but if I don’t do enough, I will be easily suppressed by the First Lord.”
"However, is Yelvxi Sage too useless? After suppressing it for so long, it was easily settled and only caused a small stir. More than ten years ago, Yelvxiyin rebelled, causing turmoil in Beijing and causing casualties. Countless!" Emperor Liu said, his tone full of regret.
Xiao Siwen said: "When Yelu Xiyin rebelled, it coincided with the Northern Expedition of the Han Dynasty. The Khitan suffered a disastrous defeat and the center was empty. Now, Yelu Sage is plotting a rebellion under the nose of the Khitan leader and is not keeping things secret. Failure is inevitable. matter!"
"What a pity!" Emperor Liu sighed with emotion. Emperor Liu was always wary of the Khitan who was hiding in Mobei to recuperate, and he would laugh at anything that made him uncomfortable.
"Xiao Qing, if I remember correctly, Yelu Sage is your son-in-law!" Emperor Liu suddenly realized and pointed out.
Hearing this, Xiao Siwen's body suddenly tensed up, and then his old face showed a little bitterness, and he sighed: "The eldest daughter of the minister, Hu Jian, married Yelu Sage in her early years. After Yelu Sage died, the younger daughter also died... .”
After hearing what he said, Emperor Liu looked strange, looked at Xiao Siwen, and said in a gentle tone: "In this case, it's hard for Xiao Qing!"
"Since I am a minister of the Han Dynasty, I have completely separated myself from the Khitan. I should serve your Majesty wholeheartedly and serve the Han Dynasty!" Xiao Siwen responded.
Even Zhao Pu couldn't help but look with surprise at this Khitan surrender who showed his loyalty to Emperor Liu. This caliber was truly extraordinary.
If Emperor Liu hadn't mentioned it, he would have ignored it. Looking at Xiao Siwen's appearance just now, there was no trace of grief for the loss of a daughter. It would be a miracle if such a person did not prosper.
