Chapter 1263: Yelu Xian Prepares to Overhaul the Court

While the Great Han's northern expedition was unfolding across the board and war clouds gathered along the entire northern frontier, Liao, the direct target of the army's advance, still remained in a transitional period between old and new. In fact, some cities and tribes along the Han-Liao border had only just received news of the new emperor's succession and had not yet reacted, their thinking still stuck in the Yingli era of the nineteenth year, when they were forced to face the situation of the Han army bearing down on them in full force.

However, Liao's rule over its territories was ultimately still stable. When the Great Han fully revealed its edge, most of the generals and officials on the border were already on alert, making defensive preparations while large amounts of urgent military intelligence rapidly flowed to the Supreme Capital.

The Hu tribal peoples who lived a nomadic existence year-round on both sides of the Yin Mountains were also sensitive—before the Han army assembled and border passes reported emergency, they had already begun migrating north in large numbers. The Han cavalry had not yet arrived, but the flight north from Monan was already urgent.

Linhuang Prefecture—Liao's Supreme Capital was still the same Supreme Capital, only the master had changed. After all, it was the national capital; after a period of pacification, the nobles, officials, and commoners of the Supreme Capital had gradually accepted the rule of Emperor Tianzan, Yelu Xian.

It was now late spring, and even the remote lands beyond the northern frontier were bursting with vitality. Hu and Han commoners alike had entered a busy state of production and daily life.

As for Yelu Xian, he had been emperor for over a month now and was still in the adjustment phase, but he was adapting well. He had begun to grow into the role of Great Liao's emperor and started to take charge of ruling this vast grassland empire.

During the month-plus since Yelu Xian's succession, there had been no great changes throughout Liao—especially in court politics, which remained stable under Yelu Xian's policy of pacification, with few ripples. After Yelu Jing was assassinated, the chaos during the period when the throne lay vacant had already become clear, and the fog had completely dissipated.

Of course, the Supreme Capital had not been entirely unchanged during this period. At least the Liao palace had been renamed Yongxing Palace after Yelu Xian took up residence—this was also the name of the palace he had previously lived in—and at the same time, the great hall of the imperial city in the Supreme Capital was given the name Chongzheng Hall.

In terms of the degree of Sinicization and closeness to Han ministers, Yelu Xian was clearly more deeply involved than Liao's previous emperors. Come to think of it, even Sinicization itself seemed to carry a hereditary element.

Yelu Xian's grandfather, the Prince of Dongdan, Yelu Bei, had fled to the Later Tang after losing his position, seeking political asylum, and died in the Central Plains. As for his father, Yelu Ruan, there was no need to even mention him—he had always loved Han classics and admired Han culture, and after seizing the throne, the empress he installed was a Han woman. When he encountered a military mutiny, it was caused by Khitan nobles turning against him for heavily employing Han ministers. As for Yelu Xian himself, he had been steeped in Han cultural influence since childhood. The reason Han ministers like Han Kuangsi had so readily chosen to support Yelu Xian was to a large extent also due to cultural affinity.

After ascending the throne, when considering how to govern Liao well, Yelu Xian actually had a clear understanding: to make Liao stronger and thereby resist the Great Han Empire to the south, he would have to heavily employ Han ministers and continue deepening reforms along the Han model.

In fact, after more than half a century of separate governance for Hu and Han—though there had been twists and turns along the way—the degree of integration between Khitan and Han culture was already quite high. Otherwise, Han and Geng families and other Han great clans would not have enjoyed such lofty political status within Liao, holding substantial real power.

Of course, they were also Sinicized Han who had become Khitanized, but regardless, Liao's internal attitude toward Han subjects was one of acceptance. So many years had passed, and everyone had grown accustomed to it.

Therefore, Yelu Xian had a foundation for deep Sinicization reform of Liao. If he were truly given sufficient time to renew and transform, to integrate the state, then it was foreseeable that the future Liao would be even harder to deal with.

Perhaps it was precisely this extra bit of "foresight," combined with the ambition in his heart, that made Emperor Liu launch the northern expedition so impatiently—he simply did not intend to give Yelu Xian that time.

After enfeoffing and rewarding a batch of imperial clansmen, nobles, and ministers to achieve the goal of pacification and winning hearts, Yelu Xian began to make his moves. His aim was not placed on continuing Sinicization and centralization—that could not be rushed—but rather on consolidating his position and establishing authority.

When Yelu Jing was assassinated, the two main generals responsible for guarding him were the Palace Commander Yelu Yila and the Right Pishi Army Xiangwen Xiao Wulizhi. They had made no moves before the succession, but after it, they became targets for Yelu Xian to make an example of.

Yelu Yila, because he had behaved obediently during the struggle for the throne, kept his life and was merely stripped of office and exiled. Xiao Wulizhi was not so lucky—he was executed on charges of negligence in palace guard duty. The young Liao emperor revealed the toughness and decisiveness beneath his reserved and gentle exterior. In fact, this had already been demonstrated earlier in his suggestion that the personal attendants and the guards of the imperial tent be all put to death.

Of course, killing people to establish authority was one aspect; on the other hand, with the exalted position of emperor, he could legitimately take control of military power. Xiao Siwen, for his merit in supporting Yelu Xian's accession, in addition to promotion and ennoblement, was given concurrent command of the Right Pishi Army. As for the palace guard military power, Yelu Xian chose his own paternal uncle, Yelu Daoyin—a man of both literary and martial talent.

Yelu Xian's three surviving uncles all received certain rewards, whether at court or among the tribes, granted positions of real authority. There was indeed logic to appointing relatives. And Yelu Ruan's entire family were Khitan imperial clansmen with extremely deep Sinicization—if one did not look at their names but only observed their thoughts and temperament, there would be no problem at all calling them a Han family.

Of the other three paternal uncles suspected of coveting the throne, Yelu Ansage continued to be kept under house arrest, while Yelu Dilie was quickly dispatched to the Western Regions. When a trend of settling accounts with Taizong's descendants began to show, and many people turned their gaze toward the Yuyue, Yelu Bishe, it suddenly stopped—he was still allowed to oversee state affairs, only two deputies were added to him: Yelu Xianshi and Gao Xun, one Hu and one Han.

Even when Yelu Bishe voluntarily requested to resign as Great King of the Northern Division, Yelu Xian refused, instead frankly reassuring him, saying that his imperial uncle had talent for governance, showing not a trace of suspicion.

In comparison, Yelu Xian's transfer of Han ministers led by Han Derang to his side to serve as personal attendants and advisors seemed far less conspicuous.

Inside the great hall, Yelu Xian sat on the throne. Judging from his relaxed posture and the harmonious atmosphere, he had already firmly seated himself—the cold yet lofty seat was beginning to gain warmth.

Although his energy was not so abundant due to physical reasons, Yelu Xian at this moment appeared spirited and vigorous. Seated below him was a minister of elegant bearing, with a broad scholar's cap and jade belt—Han Derang.

Han Derang spoke eloquently while Yelu Xian occasionally posed questions, presenting a picture of congenial conversation. What the sovereign and minister were discussing was precisely some of the pressing problems within Liao that urgently needed correction.

Though they could not avoid mentioning some of the faults of Yelu Jing's reign, neither of them cared much about it. Of course, in the latter period of Yelu Jing's rule, although the overall situation was stable, there were still some political problems within the Liao court.

After all, he was the Sleeping King—having long neglected mundane affairs, even if there was no great chaos, it was impossible to say that the court's operations were healthy and sound. Problems were especially numerous in official governance. When the emperor treated his officials kindly or even indulged them, it was inevitable that violations of law, favoritism, and neglect of duty would arise.

During this period, Yelu Xian made no major moves regarding the court situation, maintaining the status quo, but in silence he was carefully learning about the conditions and problems of the Liao court, discussing them with Han Derang and others, making policy preparations for rectification.

A new emperor's succession always called for a new atmosphere!

After more than a month, Yelu Xian had already formed preliminary reform plans and intentions!