Han Derang's coming south was also based on comprehensive considerations. Although he was far away in Mobei, he also constantly studied the development and changes of the Han Dynasty over the years, as well as the various political, economic, military, and foreign policies implemented by the Han Dynasty.
Although due to the difficulty in obtaining information, many things are hearsay and can only be seen in the fog, but with Han Derang's intelligence, he can gain something.
After Yelvxian fled to the north, the Khitan's national policy was to support the people, accumulate national strength, and then go south when the time came to attack the Han Dynasty, restore the old land, and take revenge.
But as time goes by, this basic national policy remains only in words. Except for a few old people who are immersed in the glory of the past and shout a few words from time to time, most of the Khitan people in power have not even mentioned it. the point.
After all, the current situation is too real, the comparison of national power between the two countries is too great, and the Han Empire is too powerful, so powerful that it is despairing. Even if there is a God-given opportunity, it will not come in a short time. At least it is difficult for the current generation of Khitan people to see that day.
Taking things easy is common, and the same is true for the Khitan people, especially the upper-class noble leaders. Although they covet the richness of the south, it is more important to work hard to raise more tribesmen and livestock more cattle, sheep, horses and camels to ensure their own power, status, and wealth. Although Mobei is remote and bitterly cold, it is not unable to support people. It is also relatively safe and stable.
In the past ten years, the relationship between the Han and the Khitan has basically been in a state of "political coldness and economic heat". The influence of the Han on Mobei is deepening in a subtle way. After all, even the common currency in Mobei is Han silver and copper coins.
In this kind of private economic exchanges, a large number of Khitan nobles obtained a lot of benefits from it. The various commodities from the Han Dynasty were enough for them to live a decent life and not lack enjoyment.
Ordinary Khitan tribesmen may have a difficult life, but the noble leaders above have always been nourishing. There is no doubt that after more than ten years of recovery, the Mobei Khitan has gradually deteriorated, which includes both corrosion from the Han Dynasty and its own degeneration.
The corruption of the exploiting class does not distinguish between countries and nationalities. The same applies to the Mobei Khitan. After the Han Dynasty launched the Northern Expedition, the backbone of the Khitan dynasty has been completely broken.
Although there are some knowledgeable people, the changes in the overall environment cannot be reversed by a few rational people. No matter how lofty your ideals are, it is difficult to solve practical problems. If you just shout slogans, you will not even believe it in the end.
Seeing the changes in Khitan, many of the older generation of Khitan civil and military officials felt sad. This is also the reason why some people actively encouraged to go south. However, these people did not hold power in Mobei Khitan and could hardly hold power. They were suppressed by Handerang and others.
In this regard, Handerang saw clearly that although invading southward could yield some gains and plunder some resources, it was more likely to lead to more brutal revenge from the Han Dynasty. The Han Empire under Emperor Liu's rule was extremely revengeful. , there is rarely anything gentle about it. Countless wars and deaths in the past have proven this.
What's more, it is clear that the Han Dynasty has no intention of going north and destroying the Khitan. If he raises another provocation, wouldn't he be asking for trouble? The gap in strength is enough to make people sober. Handerang also knows very well how terrifying a unified Central Plains dynasty is.
The Khitan has declined terribly, but despite the constant turmoil, the Han Dynasty is still on the rise, which makes people even more desperate. In the past, the official upper echelons of the Han Dynasty were tolerant in the non-governmental exchanges between the two countries, while the Khitan side was more active. In addition to interests, the Han Dynasty had too many things that Mobei needed.
As early as a few years ago, Handerang had noticed the change in the Han's attitude towards the Khitan, which naturally made him and many Khitan noble ministers feel relieved. They also discussed this change many times and concluded that the Han in the south The empire is full and the Mobei Khitan can be saved.
Probably for the purpose of testing, Hande asked some Khitan tribesmen to move south and graze their animals on the edge of the desert. At the same time, he set up a stronghold market for folk trade to facilitate the arrival of Han merchants. In this regard, the big Han also adopted a default attitude. Even if there were Han cavalry cruising north, they did not attack. After determining that there was no threat, they took the initiative to retreat. Emperor Liu's son-in-law Li Jilong led troops northward almost every year during those years in Shanyang, but now he has stopped.
These situations are all manifestations of the improvement of relations between the Han Dynasty and the Khitan. However, Handerang is not satisfied with this. He believes that it can go further and return to normal state-to-state relations.
This is not only Han Derang's idea, but also what many Khitan upper-level officials hope for. In the past, I have been thinking about it and testing it, but there has been no actual action.
Until last year, Handerang saw an opportunity when he learned about the situations happening in the Han Dynasty, whether it was the war with the Black Khan or the rebellion in the northwest.
Of course, instead of taking the opportunity to go south and fish in troubled waters, Han Derang saw from the perspective of a bystander that these were just scabies diseases and could not shake the rule of the Han Dynasty.
What Han Derang saw was an opportunity to completely improve the hostile relationship between the two countries and return the exchanges between the two countries to normal. Of course, to do this, the Khitans need to take the initiative, have a sincere attitude, keep their bodies low, bow their heads when they should, and kneel down when they should. Han De asked the prime minister to personally send the envoy to show his sincerity.
The Han Dynasty was in troubled times, but the Khitan took the initiative to come to court to express their surrender, which gave the Central Plains Empire face and also meant to provide help in times of crisis. What's more, surrendering to an enemy who has been against him for decades can greatly satisfy Emperor Liu's vanity. You must know that before, even if they were driven to Mobei, the Khitan had no intention of surrendering. When the Han army went north, the Khitan army was also tenacious. Fight.
In Han Derang's view, there was no reason for the Han court to refuse based on the previous improvement in relations between the two countries. Therefore, Han Derang went south from Mobei, traveled quickly and suffered a lot, and finally arrived in Tokyo.
After arriving in Beijing, he didn't even care to admire the magnificence and prosperity of Tokyo, and expressed his intention to visit the court. However, the sincerity and hope he was filled with were immediately poured cold water on him, and the court couldn't care less.
Although the imperial court agreed to allow Han Derang and his entourage to enter Beijing and arranged for them to stay in a courtesy hotel, that was all. After that, they ignored them and left them alone.
Of course, it doesn't mean he doesn't care at all. After all, he is from the Khitan. It's just that this matter requires Emperor Liu's nod. Emperor Liu had always been personally involved in Khitan affairs. If he did not express his position, even the crown prince Liu Yang would not dare to act rashly.
Han Derang didn't know the secret, so he could only stay in Tokyo temporarily, waiting hard for the day when Emperor Liu summoned him. Of course, Handerang's psychological quality was excellent, and he could endure neglect and humiliation, and stayed calm. He even had the leisure to wander around Tokyo and personally observe the condition of the big man's heart.
And this look was fruitful. It coincided with the grain price crisis in Tokyo, which made Handerang convinced that the Han Dynasty was not peaceful. The court was seeking peace and stability, and the Khitan's sincerity in surrender might be accepted.
However, more than half a month had passed, and Emperor Liu still had no intention of meeting him. When he asked, he only received a reply that he was waiting for an imperial edict. He settled for the next best thing and wanted to see the prince, but the prince was busy with state affairs and had no time to see him.
(End of chapter)
