Chapter 1249: Who Can Succeed to the Throne?

Amid the surging emotions, Yelu Xianshi and his faction did not dare to be too tough, seeking compromise amid the struggle—of course, this was also based on the premise that the situation in Shangjing was gradually falling under their control. At the same time, it also seemed to be a manifestation of Liao's political maturity; otherwise, a bloody coup purge would likely have already fully unfolded.

Of course, this was also because there was no one on the Liao political stage at the time like Yelu Wuzhi—someone of high moral standing, with seasoned tactics, who could harmonize the masses, balance the interests of all factions, and command conviction—to step forward and preside over the situation.

As for Yelu Xianshi, it must be said that he had some ability and prestige, but not enough. Relying on past merits, plus the Emperor's reliance on him, when Yelu Jing was alive, he could act as a powerful minister and be active in politics.

But now, with Yelu Jing suddenly assassinated, his performance and actions seemed no longer appropriate, even lacking in confidence, and more likely to provoke dissatisfaction and suspicion from the other imperial clansmen and ministers. Some even raised questions in court, attacking Yelu Xianshi for betraying the late Emperor's favor and committing treason.

Under the martial law in Shangjing, the Liao court was in complete disarray, with conflicts suddenly erupting and intensifying, and disputes growing ever sharper. The loudest voices were, of course, Yelu Jing's two full brothers, Yelu Ansage and Yelu Dilie.

When Yelu Jing was alive, Liao's political scene was calm; everyone, all factions, could lower their banners and keep a low profile in their actions, not even daring to stick their heads out easily. Once Yelu Jing died, the long-suppressed undercurrents began to surge wildly.

In the end, it was only upon the proposal of the Northern Commissioner of Military Affairs, Xiao Husi, that the disputes were reluctantly set aside and several matters were settled. Among them, the most important was Yelu Jing's funeral, which was ultimately handled by three people—Yelu Bishe, Yelu Xianshi, and Xiao Husi—who were also tasked with investigating and prosecuting the Emperor's death.

On this point, a conclusion was easily reached. Although Yelu Dilie and others insisted that there was a hidden conspiracy behind it, directly pointing at Yelu Xianshi, Xiao Siwen, and others suspected of usurpation, trying to muddy the waters, the matter was still rapidly characterized and settled under the push of a group of people.

The verdict was that two palace eunuchs, bewitched by ghosts and demons, had committed treason and regicide—an act of monstrous rebellion. Shande and Nuli were executed in front of everyone, and their bones were ground to ash. At the same time, all the eunuchs who had served Yelu Jing were also executed, and the hundred or so guards stationed around the imperial tent were all forced to commit suicide—they had failed in their duty to protect the Emperor, and even death could not atone for their crimes.

Such swift and decisive measures were naturally proposed by Prince Qi, Yelu Xian, and carried out by the Flying Dragon Commissioner, Nüli. This move both intimidated some and appeased others. At the same time, Yelu Yila, the imperial guard commander, after realizing what had happened, out of fear, quickly defected to Yelu Xian—after all, he bore the primary responsibility for guarding the Emperor, and to survive, he needed a patron, and there was no other patron besides Yelu Xian.

Speaking of it, Yelu Jing was somewhat pitiable. While alive, he faced criticism, though his throne was fairly stable, and the entire court seemed full of loyal ministers. Yet the moment he died, before his corpse had even grown cold, everything changed. There was almost no minister willing to die for him; everyone's hearts were turning elsewhere, including the ministers he had relied upon—especially you, Yelu Xianshi!

The most urgent matter was to issue orders to stabilize the people's hearts and maintain peace in the court and the country. And the most critical matter, the one everyone cared about most, was who would inherit the throne. This was also the ultimate focal point of all problems and contradictions.

Liao had all kinds of internal contradictions and problems, but the greatest problem was the succession of the throne—a problem that had existed since the founding of Liao and had not been effectively resolved for decades.

For decades, the throne had passed back and forth between the two bloodlines of Yelu Bei and Yelu Deguang, and countless struggles and contests had revolved around the imperial seat. Now, with Yelu Jing's unexpected death, it seemed to have returned to the beginning of another cycle. Since Yelu Jing had no sons, this made the imperial succession even more uncertain.

On this question, there were various choices. The one with the highest prestige was naturally King Yue, Yelu Bishe—his intentions could be discerned from Yelu Jing's arrangements for him in recent years. During the years he assisted Yelu Jing in governing, he had also won over some people's hearts and accumulated considerable military and political resources.

But in the end, without an explicit status as Imperial Younger Brother (Heir), he had no greater legal advantage either. Added to that, Yelu Xian's faction made the first move, causing him to lose the initiative and fall into a passive position.

Thus, while mourning and holding funeral rites for Yelu Jing, the open and covert struggles over the throne also began—or rather, they had already begun from the moment news of Yelu Jing's death spread.

It was at this moment that Prince Qi, Yelu Xian, formally stepped to the forefront, being promoted as a candidate for the imperial succession, discussed alongside Yelu Bishe.

Under the condition that Yelu Jing had no sons, Yelu Xian did indeed have the qualifications to inherit the imperial enterprise. In terms of bloodline, even counting from Yelu Abaoji, he was of the direct line. Back when Shizong, Yelu Ruan, had died, if Yelu Xian had been older—even just ten years older—the one propped up to the throne might not have been Yelu Jing.

Now, for him to take back the throne was naturally within his rights. In comparison, Yelu Bishe was of concubine birth—do not think that the Khitan did not value bloodline.

Moreover, although Yelu Xian was young, just over twenty, he had already displayed outstanding cultivation and character. Through years of keeping a low profile and enduring patiently, he had also won over a large number of people—for instance, Yelu Xianshi's support for him was the fruit of sincere cultivation of that relationship.

His father, Yelu Ruan, was after all the late Emperor, and had left him some valuable political resources. Although these had faded somewhat over time and were not so reliable in ordinary times, when conditions matured, they would erupt into solid support. There were also those who had been dissatisfied during Yelu Jing's reign, who were trending toward Yelu Xian and providing him assistance.

In this way, under the escort of Yelu Xianshi and others, plus a number of civil and military officials who followed along, Yelu Xian's momentum was built up. Besides the advantage of bloodline and status, Yelu Xian's faction also put forward another justification during this period: last year, Yelu Jing had reportedly said, "My son has come of age; the government can be entrusted to him."

Whether Yelu Jing actually said those words is difficult to verify, and the meaning conveyed by the statement did not clearly indicate expectations placed on Yelu Xian. But a single sentence could be interpreted in various ways, and those supporting Yelu Xian could explain it in that direction.

And Yelu Jing's treatment of Yelu Xian had indeed been preferential—raising and nurturing him from childhood, specially building a separate palace for him to reside in, never forgetting to bestow gifts during festivals, often bringing him along on imperial tours, and even enfeoffing him as Prince Qi.

These things meant little in ordinary times, but at such a critical moment, they became points open to deep interpretation. The late Emperor favored Prince Qi!

While Yelu Xian's faction was busily planning his ascension, with their momentum swelling to fill the court and the realm, Yelu Jing's brothers were not idle either. In particular, the two brothers, Taiping King Yelu Ansage and Anping King Yelu Dilie, were rushing about the city, actively making connections.

Yelu Ansage was Yelu Jing's full younger brother, born of the same mother—a man who was never content to stay still, and whenever he caught an opportunity, he would stir up some trouble.

In terms of status, his qualifications should have ranked before everyone else's, and he himself thought so too. However, due to his past deeds, having repeatedly exposed his disloyal intentions, he had been harshly suppressed by Yelu Jing. In the past decade or so, he truly held no power in his hands, nor did he have much prestige.

Bloodline and status were only the most basic things; without corresponding strength and luck, wanting to succeed was nothing but wishful thinking. This was also the main reason almost no one proposed Yelu Ansage for the throne.

As for Yelu Dilie, he was actually a full brother of Yelu Bishe. He certainly had designs on the throne as well, but after years of tempering, he had a fairly clear understanding of the reality of the situation, and his temperament was no longer as impetuous as in his youth.

Still, he was also rushing about, but he was working for King Yue, Yelu Bishe. He knew his own shortcomings—in comparison, his younger brother, who was both trusted by the late Emperor and gentle in temperament with considerable popularity, was more likely to ascend, and that would be more advantageous to him as well.

He had initially taken the lead in questioning and opposing Yelu Xianshi and the others because he could not stand their behavior of borrowing the imperial name to stir up waves. And when Yelu Xian was formally put forward, his resolve became even firmer—no matter what, the imperial lineage could not be handed over again; how could the meat in one's own pot be touched by outsiders?

After a period of brewing, the situation for the imperial succession gradually became clear. There were three candidates: Taiping King Yelu Ansage, King Yue Yelu Bishe, and Prince Qi Yelu Xian.

Among them, Yelu Ansage had the weakest strength and the lowest prestige, but he jumped the highest; Yelu Xian had no shortage of supporters, but too many had banded together temporarily, and their cohesion was not that strong—he also stayed calmly in the background, with Yelu Xianshi at the helm and Xiao Siwen and others cheering him on; Yelu Bishe seemed suitable in every way, but nothing about him stood out particularly—the key issue was that his own attitude was not that proactive.

On the contrary, during this period, Yelu Bishe was deeply grief-stricken, immersed in the sorrow of losing his brother and sovereign, devoting himself wholeheartedly to handling Yelu Jing's funeral arrangements.

And when it came to dominating the imperial succession and the transfer of power, when soft power could hardly play a decisive role, in the end, it came down to hard power—it came down to who held the guns.